The conservative party is in split over reports of a Chinese spy in Westminster. Some senior conservative members are demanding to categorize China as a threat while some in the cabinet are warning that by doing so the UK could incur losses in business opportunities.

UK Conservative party in split over China spy row

In another twist to the story of a suspected Chinese spy working in the British Parliament, it was revealed by The Sun tabloid that one of its political reporters matched with him on a dating app. 
 
British police informed at the weekend that a man, identified as Chris Cash, was arrested from his home in Edinburgh for spying, as the Sunday Times reported that he was working as a researcher in the parliament of Britain. 
 
He was arrested in March by Metropolitan Police Service officers, along with another man who was in his thirties, on suspicion of offences under the Official Secrets Act and both of them were bailed until October.

<h2>Not a great match</h2>

Speaking about her close call with the suspected spy on the dating app Hinge, Sun Political correspondent Noa Hoffman revealed, “Swiping through dating apps, you quickly learn how many weird men are out there and, importantly, how to avoid them. What no one prepares you for are the warning signs you could be flirting with a spy for the Chinese.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-known-about-alleged-chinese-spy-chris-cash-a-uk-parliamentarian-634810">What is known about alleged 'Chinese spy' Chris Cash, a UK parliamentary researcher?</a>

“I matched with Mr X on Hinge after being impressed by his sweet profile. He was attractive, clearly into sports and had a thriving social life. On the app he told me he worked in Parliament, just as I do,” she added. 
 
“We bonded over our favourite glitzy Westminster drink receptions and even dating disaster stories, which now seems ironic. He said he worked for a high-profile organisation advising MPs on China. He spoke passionately about how he lived in the country but was now banned from returning,” she narrated, as reported by The Sun. 
 
“And he discussed his admiration and connections to senior Tory MPs interested in the region. We arranged to go for drinks at a swanky Covent Garden cocktail bar on multiple occasions – but at the last minute something always came up. Eventually I lost interest,” she said.

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Exposed: How China is using LinkedIn for espionage

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“But I often saw him swanning around parliament and he continued to message me and many other journalists with briefings on China and invitations to "Westminster China Policy'' socials. My jaw dropped when I learned he’d been arrested in March on spying allegations,” the reporter added.

<h2>China 'refutes' spying allegations</h2>

Meanwhile, China had said that it "resolutely opposes" the allegations of spying levied by the United Kingdom after the suspect's arrest. 
 
"The so-called claim that China is conducting espionage activities against the UK is pure fabrication," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, in a press news conference. "China resolutely opposes this,” she added. 
 
"We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop its anti-China political manipulation and malicious slander,” Mao stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In another twist to the story of a suspected Chinese spy working in the British Parliament, it was revealed by The Sun tabloid that one of its political reporters matched with him on a dating app.

In another twist to the story of a suspected Chinese spy working in the British Parliament, it was revealed by The Sun tabloid that one of its political reporters matched with him on a dating app. British police informed at the weekend that a man, identified as Chris Cash, was arrested from his home in Edinburgh for spying, as the Sunday Times reported that he was working as a researcher in the parliament of Britain. He was arrested in March by Metropolitan Police Service officers, along with another man who was in his thirties, on suspicion of offences under the Official Secrets Act and both of them were bailed until October. Not a great match Speaking about her close call with the suspected spy on the dating app Hinge, Sun Political correspondent Noa Hoffman revealed, “Swiping through dating apps, you quickly learn how many weird men are out there and, importantly, how to avoid them. What no one prepares you for are the warning signs you could be flirting with a spy for the Chinese.” ALSO READ | What is known about alleged 'Chinese spy' Chris Cash, a UK parliamentary researcher? “I matched with Mr X on Hinge after being impressed by his sweet profile. He was attractive, clearly into sports and had a thriving social life. On the app he told me he worked in Parliament, just as I do,” she added. “We bonded over our favourite glitzy Westminster drink receptions and even dating disaster stories, which now seems ironic. He said he worked for a high-profile organisation advising MPs on China. He spoke passionately about how he lived in the country but was now banned from returning,” she narrated, as reported by The Sun. “And he discussed his admiration and connections to senior Tory MPs interested in the region. We arranged to go for drinks at a swanky Covent Garden cocktail bar on multiple occasions – but at the last minute something always came up. Eventually I lost interest,” she said. WATCH | Gravitas: Exposed: How China is using LinkedIn for espionage “But I often saw him swanning around parliament and he continued to message me and many other journalists with briefings on China and invitations to "Westminster China Policy'' socials. My jaw dropped when I learned he’d been arrested in March on spying allegations,” the reporter added. China 'refutes' spying allegations Meanwhile, China had said that it "resolutely opposes" the allegations of spying levied by the United Kingdom after the suspect's arrest. "The so-called claim that China is conducting espionage activities against the UK is pure fabrication," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, in a press news conference. "China resolutely opposes this,” she added. "We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop its anti-China political manipulation and malicious slander,” Mao stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sun reporter matched with suspected Chinese spy Chris Cash on dating app

A British parliamentary researcher was&nbsp;arrested on suspicion of being a ‘Chinese spy’ in March this year. The researcher was named on Sunday night by The Sunday Times as Chris Cash, a 28-year-old history graduate who reportedly has links with many Tory MPs.

Police confirmed Sunday a man in his twenties, and a second in his thirties had been arrested on suspicion of espionage offences in March. The man in his twenties is reported to be a Commons passholder, who has been linked to a number of senior Tory MPs.

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<h2>Who is Chris Cash, the ‘suspected’ Chinese spy?</h2>

As per reports, Chris is a researcher in Britain’s parliament and had been seen rubbing elbows with senior Tories, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns. He was arrested back in March and his name remained&nbsp;undisclosed until this weekend.&nbsp;

Security officials believed that the researcher was recruited as a sleeper agent while living and working in China. He was then sent back to the United Kingdom “with the intention of infiltrating political networks critical of the Beijing regime,” according to the newspaper.

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Scotland Yard confirmed the arrest of “a man in his twenties… in Edinburgh.” He and one other suspect were released on bail until a date in early October, police said.

Before his alleged arrest, Chris led the China Research Group, a body “widely seen as advocating a more ‘hawkish’ British policy towards China”, according to a 2021 academic paper. Co-founded by Tory ministers Tom Tugendhat and Neil O’Brien in April 2020, the group’s committee at one point included up to seven other MPs.

The group’s website states that it was founded to “promote debate and fresh thinking about how Britain should respond to the rise of China,” focusing on industrial, technological, and foreign policy issues. In an ironic flourish, another of its stated aims is to “provide a trustworthy source of news and informed knowledge” on China.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/train-with-possibly-kim-jong-un-on-board-leaves-north-korea-for-russia-south-korean-media-634806">Train with possibly Kim Jong Un onboard, leaves North Korea for Russia: South Korean media</a>

It was not immediately clear how much access Chris might have had to foreign affairs intelligence, or what kind of influence, if any, he might have held in Westminster. He held a parliamentary pass but did not have security clearance, according to The Sunday Times.

China strongly denies all accusations

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK&nbsp;released a statement late Sunday night strongly denying the accusations that the country was involved in an espionage scheme involving Cash, calling them “malicious slander.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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A British parliamentary researcher was arrested on suspicion of being a ‘Chinese spy’ in March this year. The researcher was named on Sunday night by The Sunday Times as Chris Cash, a 28-year-old history graduate who reportedly has links with many Tory MPs.

A British parliamentary researcher was arrested on suspicion of being a ‘Chinese spy’ in March this year. The researcher was named on Sunday night by The Sunday Times as Chris Cash, a 28-year-old history graduate who reportedly has links with many Tory MPs. Police confirmed Sunday a man in his twenties, and a second in his thirties had been arrested on suspicion of espionage offences in March. The man in his twenties is reported to be a Commons passholder, who has been linked to a number of senior Tory MPs. Also Read | 'Well done India': Saudi Crown Prince all praise for India's G20 presidency as Delhi-Riyadh bond strengthens Who is Chris Cash, the ‘suspected’ Chinese spy? As per reports, Chris is a researcher in Britain’s parliament and had been seen rubbing elbows with senior Tories, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns. He was arrested back in March and his name remained undisclosed until this weekend. Security officials believed that the researcher was recruited as a sleeper agent while living and working in China. He was then sent back to the United Kingdom “with the intention of infiltrating political networks critical of the Beijing regime,” according to the newspaper. Also Read | India to offer Russia to invest trapped rupees: Sergey Lavrov Scotland Yard confirmed the arrest of “a man in his twenties… in Edinburgh.” He and one other suspect were released on bail until a date in early October, police said. Before his alleged arrest, Chris led the China Research Group, a body “widely seen as advocating a more ‘hawkish’ British policy towards China”, according to a 2021 academic paper. Co-founded by Tory ministers Tom Tugendhat and Neil O’Brien in April 2020, the group’s committee at one point included up to seven other MPs. The group’s website states that it was founded to “promote debate and fresh thinking about how Britain should respond to the rise of China,” focusing on industrial, technological, and foreign policy issues. In an ironic flourish, another of its stated aims is to “provide a trustworthy source of news and informed knowledge” on China. Also Read | Train with possibly Kim Jong Un onboard, leaves North Korea for Russia: South Korean media It was not immediately clear how much access Chris might have had to foreign affairs intelligence, or what kind of influence, if any, he might have held in Westminster. He held a parliamentary pass but did not have security clearance, according to The Sunday Times. China strongly denies all accusations A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK released a statement late Sunday night strongly denying the accusations that the country was involved in an espionage scheme involving Cash, calling them “malicious slander.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What is known about alleged 'Chinese spy' Chris Cash, a UK parliamentary researcher?

The identity of the British parliamentary researcher who was arrested for spying for China has been revealed. Reports claim the male suspect had links with Tory MPs as well. According to reports, 28-year-old Chris Cash was arrested in March few ministers in the UK were informed about the arrest then but the details were released at the weekend. To know more watch this interview with Political Analyst Nigel Fletcher.

UK: Parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China

The identity of the British parliamentary researcher who was arrested for spying for China has been revealed. Reports claim the male suspect had links with Tory MPs as well. According to reports, 28-year-old Chris Cash was arrested in March few ministers in the UK were informed about the arrest then but the details were released at the weekend.

The accused UK spy is a 28-year-old parliamentary researcher Chris Cash

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UK Conservative party in split over China spy row

Sun reporter matched with suspected Chinese spy Chris Cash on dating app

What is known about alleged 'Chinese spy' Chris Cash, a UK parliamentary researcher?

UK: Parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China

The accused UK spy is a 28-year-old parliamentary researcher Chris Cash