SIR Bernard Jenkin has pressured the Prime Minister to designate China as a “threat” to the UK following the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for Beijing.

Senior Tory MPs raised to their feet to urge the Government to specifically label China as a threat to the country after Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden gave a statement on the arrest.

The Harwich and North Essex MP said: “Why is the Government so squeamish about not just talking about threats from China, but by calling China a threat?

“What is the difference between a challenge and a threat?”

The researcher at the centre of the row, who had links with senior Tories, was arrested back in March – but this went undisclosed until the Sunday Times reported it over the weekend.

The individual said he is “completely innocent” and that he spent his career highlighting the “challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”.

The Met’s counter terrorism command is investigating.

Mr Dowden reiterated the Government is “absolutely clear about the threat that China represents”, adding: “It is right that we engage with China and that is the approach that we are taking alongside working very closely with our allies.”