A BRITISH parliamentary researcher understood to have had links to MPs with classified information has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

       The man, in his late twenties, is linked to senior Tory MPs including security minister Tom Tugenhat and Commons foreign affairs committee chair Alicia Kearns.

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       The researcher is understood to have been close to several Tory MPs Credit: Getty

       He is claimed to have gained access to several politicians privy to classified or highly sensitive information in what is thought to be one of the biggest-ever spying breaches at Westminster.

       The researcher is understood to be a Brit with a parliamentary pass who worked on China policy with top MPs.

       Counter-terror cops arrested the researcher in Edinburgh on March 13, with another man in his thirties collared in Oxfordshire the same day.

       Both "residential properties" were searched along with an east London address.

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       The pair have been bailed after they were taken to a south London police station.

       They were arrested under section 11 of the Official Secrets Act, which makes it an offence to pass on information which may be "prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state" - or "intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy".

       A Whitehall source told The Sunday Times: "This is a major escalation by China. We have never seen anything like this before."

       The Met said: "Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service arrested two men on 13 March on suspicion of offences under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act, 1911.

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       "A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh.

       "Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London.

       "Both men were taken to a south London police station, and were subsequently released on police bail until a date in early October.

       "The investigation is being carried out by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, which has responsibility for investigations relating to allegations of Official Secrets Act and espionage-related offences. Enquiries continue."

       Alicia Kearns MP said: "I am aware of the Sunday Times report. I will not be commenting.

       "While I recognise the public interest, we all have a duty to ensure any work of the Authorities is not jeopardised."