A parliamentary researcher has been accused of spying for China (Picture: Getty Images)

Two men have been arrested over allegations they were spying for China.

The men, one in his 20s and one in his 30s, have been arrested under the Official Secrets Act.

The Metropolitan Police was forced to admit two men had been arrested following an investigation by the Sunday Times, which alleged a parliamentary researcher had spied for China.

The researcher is understood to have had links to several senior Tory MPs, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns.

A spokesman for the force said: “Officers arrested two men on March 13 on suspicion of offences under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act, 1911.

‘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.’

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China pressure group said it was ‘appalled at reports of the infiltration of the UK Parliament by someone allegedly acting on behalf of the People’s Republic of China’.

Downing Street said it does not comment on security matters. The House of Commons has been contacted.

Mr Tugendhat is said not to have had any contact with the researcher since before he became security minister in September last year.

Ms Kearns declined to comment, adding: ‘While I recognise the public interest, we all have a duty to ensure any work of the authorities is not jeopardised.’

The researcher is understood to have had links to several senior Tory MPs, including security minister Tom Tugendhat.