Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning gestures during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 (AP)

China has vehemently denied allegations that an espionage suspect arrested in the United Kingdom was gathering information on behalf of Beijing.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the issue during a press conference on Monday, asserting that "the so-called claim that China is conducting espionage activities against the UK is pure fabrication", emphasizing that "China resolutely opposes this".

Mao Ning used the press conference as an opportunity to urge the United Kingdom to stop "spreading disinformation" and "anti-China political manipulation" which she described as "malicious slander".

Back in September, the Sunday Times reported that a researcher employed by the UK House of Commons and another individual were arrested in March under suspicion of espionage for China.

A source with knowledge of the situation close to Alicia Kearns, chairwoman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, has stated that if the allegations prove true, it would signify a "significant escalation" in tensions with Beijing.

The arrested individual, a researcher in Britain's parliament, was taken into custody by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service back in March.

Another man in his thirties was also arrested during the same operation on suspicion of offenses under the Official Secrets Act. Both individuals have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court in October.

The United Kingdom has not yet released specific details regarding the espionage allegations or the nature of the information the suspect was allegedly gathering. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels between the two countries expected to be strained as the case unfolds.