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China has told the UK to “stop spreading false information” over a parliamentary researcher who was arrested on suspicion of spying for the country.Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference on Monday (11 September) that the allegation is “pure fabrication.”“We urge the UK… to stop its anti-China political manipulation and malicious slander,” she added.The man, who has not identified himself, has released a statement through his lawyers in which he denies being a “Chinese spy,” adding that he has spent his career trying to “educate others” about the “threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”. More

Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that there is an “ongoing sensitive” investigation into allegations of a Chinese spy working in parliament.A researcher was arrested in March on suspicion of spying for China, it has been revealed.The man, who has not been named by police, has insisted he is “completely innocent.”The Briton was arrested along with another man by officers on suspicion of spying for Beijing, The Sunday Times revealed.In parliament on Monday, the speaker said: “Members will understand that public discussion will be wholly inappropriate.” More

Kemi Badenoch has refused to confirm whether the UK will veto China’s attempt to join the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership.Speaking to Ed Balls on Monday’s (10 September) episode of Good Morning Britain, the Business Secretary said: “I’m not going to be making that decision on breakfast television.”Ms Badenoch’s comments came as a parliamentary researcher who was arrested on suspicion of spying for China has said he is “completely innocent”.In a statement released by his lawyers, the man said: “I have spent my career to date trying to educate others about the challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party.” More

Watch the full PMQs exchange between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday 6 September.The prime minister was grilled on what he knew about the crumbling concrete crisis, with the government releasing a full list of schools affected by the issue just minutes before the session started.Despite being on the back foot, Mr Sunak said the government acted “decisively” on the Raac crisis and called Mr Starmer “Captain Hindsight”.The Labour leader, meanwhile, likened the Tories to “cowboy builders” and accused them of letting schools crumble. More

Rishi Sunak has accused the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer of “punishing” hardworking families with the London Ulez expansion.The prime minister said it is “disappointing” that Sir Keir “allowed the Labour mayor to introduce Ulez, charging hardworking people £12.50 every time they start their car”.“All I can say, Mr Speaker, is that while we focus on helping hard-working families, all he does is punish them,” Mr Sunak claimed, suggesting the Ulez expansion only “adds to the burden of the cost of living”. More

Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, is facing criticism after her sweary outburst over the school concrete crisis was caught by a hot mic on Monday 4 September.In a moment of frustration, she hit out at those who she argued had “sat on their arse and done nothing” and questioned why no one was saying “You’ve done a f****** good job”.While her outburst piles pressure on Rishi Sunak and the government, Ms Keegan wasn’t the first politician to be caught out by a live microphone – and she certainly won’t be the last.Here, The Independent takes a look at some of the most famous hot-mic moments from years gone by. More

Sir Gavin William apologised “fully and unreservedly” in the House of Commons for sending a series of expletive-laden messages to the former chief whip.Sir Gavin had sent a series of expletive-laden text messages to the then chief whip, Wendy Morton in September 2022 in the run-up to the Queen’s funeral, in part complaining that he was not invited to the ceremony. The messages were leaked to the media and Ms Morton lodged a complaint in November 2022.“During this exchange I used intemperate and inappropriate language which I regret and I apologised for shortly after,” he said.“I apologise to them again now and I apologise to the House fully and unreservedly. I will do my utmost to ensure this does not happen again.” More