UK will not accept Chinese interference - Sunak

Rishi Sunak has said he "will not accept" Chinese interference in the UK's democracy, after it emerged a parliamentary researcher was arrested amid accusations he spied for China.

In a statement to MPs, the PM said he told Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the recent G20 summit that any attempted spying "will never be tolerated".

The Met Police confirmed on Saturday that two men were arrested under the Official Secrets Act in March.

The researcher denies the allegations.

The man said in a statement he felt "forced to respond" to accusations in the media.

China has rejected the allegations of spying, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning calling it "malicious slander".

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has warned MPs against identifying the man - who is not being named by the BBC - using parliamentary privilege.

During a statement to the House of Commons on the G20 summit in India, Mr Sunak told MPs: "I have been emphatically clear in our engagement with China that we will not accept any interference in our democracy and parliamentary system.

"We will defend our democracy and our security.

"So I was emphatic with Premier Li that actions which seek to undermine British democracy are completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated."

Under questioning from Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Sunak said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had also raised China's attempts to interfere with UK democracy on his recent visit to China.

Sir Keir said "incidents like this show the constant threats that we face".