Probe into China ‘spy’ in Commons ongoing, says the Speaker
Claims that a Commons researcher spied for China are being investigated further, the Speaker told MPs on Monday.Sir Lindsay Hoyle emphasised in Parliament that it was an “ongoing sensitive investigation”.He urged MPs to avoid speculating in the Chamber about the case, which he added an “extreme small number of people” had previously been alerted about on a strictly confidential basis “given the national security of this sensitive matter”.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Before we start today's business, I want to make a brief statement about a security
00:06 matter. Members and others will have seen media reports yesterday about a security issue
00:13 relating to the Chinese state and access to this house. I understand that the Metropolitan
00:19 Police have now confirmed that two men were arrested in March on suspicion of offences
00:25 relating to espionage and that they are on police bail until early October. As you know,
00:32 we do not discuss the details of security issues on the floor of the House for reasons
00:38 which are well understood. This is an ongoing, sensitive investigation and Members will of
00:44 course understand that public discussion will be wholly inappropriate. However, I want to
00:51 reassure Members that the House follows the same vetting procedures as the Government,
00:56 that issues raised by media stories are being addressed and that the security is working
01:02 closely and effectively with other relevant authorities. We keep our security arrangements
01:09 under review at all times in order to deal with the evolving threats. The extreme small
01:16 number of people who needed to know were immediately briefed on a strictly confidential basis, given
01:23 the national security of this sensitive matter.
01:27 At this stage, I do not wish to say anything further about this issue and I would remind
01:33 all Members of the importance of not discussing security issues on the floor of the House.
01:39 That is particularly important in this case. We are commenting on the identity of those
01:44 alleged to be involved. Engaging in speculation about the case or discussing other details
01:50 runs a serious risk of prejudicing any future prosecutions. The comments made in the media
01:59 were unhelpful, something for which I am sure no Member will want to be responsible. I do
02:06 not intend to take any points of order on this matter.
02:10 If Members have security concerns, they are of course welcome to raise them outside this
02:16 Chamber with me or with the House of Commons security professionals or both.
02:25 [BLANK_AUDIO]