A UK Parliament researcher who was jailed under anti-espionage rules on suspicion of spying for China has stated that he is “completely innocent.”

The individual said in a statement posted through his lawyers that he felt “forced to respond” to media charges.

The researcher was one of two guys arrested under the Official Secrets Act in March.

According to reports, the researcher had access to many Conservative MPs.

China has dismissed the charges of spying, labeling them “malicious slander” by foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is scheduled to give a speech in Parliament this afternoon, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will face questions from MPs over the G20 summit this weekend.

Earlier, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle advised MPs not to use parliamentary privilege to identify the guy, who has not been named by the BBC.

The arrest encourages a reconsideration of China’s policy.
Lawyers for the researcher cited him as saying: “It is wrong that I should be obligated to make any form of public comment on the misreporting that has occurred.”

“However, given what has been reported, it is critical that the public understand that I am completely innocent.”

“I’ve spent my entire career trying to educate others about the Chinese Communist Party’s challenge and threats.”

“To do what has been claimed against me in extravagant news reporting would be a violation of everything I stand for.”

On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police revealed that two men were arrested in March under the Official Secrets Act.

One of the guys, in his 30s, was apprehended in Oxfordshire, while the other, in his twenties, was apprehended in Edinburgh.

According to sources, one of them was a legislative researcher interested in foreign politics.

Both individuals have been released on bail, and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which deals with espionage-related crimes, is looking into them.