SNP spokesperson Kirsty Blackman asks Dowden whether the government will commit to acting more quickly in the future.

She asks the deputy prime minister when he first learned of these allegations, and asks why MPs only found out these allegations from the Sunday Times.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle urges caution, saying as it is a security issue the small number of MPs who needed to be told were briefed initially.

Dowden in response says the House would not expect a "running commentary" on intelligence briefing, adding that the parliamentary secretary directorate supports Parliament about specific or general advice.

Image source, House of Commons

Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Julian Lewis, asks Dowden if the full government response will set out specific steps to address the threat from China to the UK's democracy.

The deputy PM says the short answer is it "does exactly that" and will be with Lewis "shortly".

Oliver Dowden thanks Yvette Cooper for the “constructive” nature of her response.

“It is important that we treat these issues on a cross-party basis,” he says.

Both the prime minister and foreign secretary “regularly raise” instances of Chinese interference in UK democratic intuitions with their Chinese opposite numbers.

There is a Democracy Task force, headed by Security Minister Tom Tugendhat working “across government” to monitor any interference with UK institutions, Dowden says.

The government has stepped in 15 times to ask companies to either stop or reconsider taking foreign investment from China due to concerns it could impact the safety of national infrastructure.

Cooper says there is a lack of a "proper strategy".

She says the UK needs engagement with China on climate change and other global issues, but adds "we need to be robust on security issues".

She says the government has been warned for years on rising state threats and asks where the strategy is for "urgent action to defend our national security".

Image source, House of Commons

Labour's Yvette Cooper is up now, responding to Dowden's statement.

The shadow home secretary pays tribute to the security services, noting the statement comes on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001.

Cooper says Labour recognises the seriousness of these allegations at the heart of government, but adds that the public need to know more about attempts to "undermine our democracy".

She goes on to ask a question about what Rishi Sunak has done - and when - about these allegations.

Cooper also asks what is being done about national security prisoners, given the recent escape of alleged foreign agent Daniel Khalife from prison last week.

Closing his speech, Dowden points to the recently passed National Security Act which he says “overhauled” law around espionage, sabotage and “anyone working against the UK for foreign powers”.

He adds that the UK government will do “whatever it takes to protect our national security” and democratic institutions, which he says “have stood as a beacons of liberty” for centuries.

Dowden says the UK will deploy an aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific by 2025, and refers to the Aukus security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

He then highlights the work with Italy and Japan on an "unprecedented aerospace coalition" to “adapt and respond to the security threats of the future".

"These Houses of Parliament stand as a monument to the freedoms of expression and belief that underpin our values, but just as these institutions have provided the paradigm for so many modern democracies, there are still those who fear such freedoms and seek to undermine them," he says.

He adds that the government maintains "constant vigilance", adding "we will always take action to address it, whatever its source".

Image source, House of Commons

Dowden says threats from China are why he banned the use of the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from government phones.

He adds that the threat is also why the government "called out" China's operation of secret police stations in the UK.

The deputy PM also lays out other measures to reduce Chinese influence, like banning tech firm Huawei from building the UK's 5G networks, and reducing Chinese involvement in the nuclear sector at under-construction Sizewell C power plant.

Dowden says the UK must be “clear-eyed” about the challenges posed by China.

The UK “must be able to look the Chinese in the eye and call out unacceptable behaviour directly,” Dowden says,

This, he says, is the approach taken by the prime minister when he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit and is the approach taken by all Five Eyes allies – the intelligence sharing alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and US.

Dowden refers to the statement given by the Met Police, saying that an investigation is being carried out by the force's Counter Terrorism Command.

“Any decision taken on whether to proceed with prosecution is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service,” he adds.

Dowden says it "remains an absolute priority" for the government to "take all necessary steps" to protect the UK from anything which undermines it.

He says the government has been clear that China represents a "systemic challenge to the UK and our values", evident from China's "disregard for human rights".

Dowden, the deputy PM, goes over the “serious allegations” in the Sunday Times that two researchers have been arrested on espionage charges.

He adds that it is important the police and security agencies are investigating, adding that MPs must not harm their work.

Dowden says that it would be inappropriate to comment on any aspect of the active investigation.

Image source, House of Commons

Oliver Dowden has stepped up to the despatch box to give his update to MPs on the China spying allegations.

We'll bring you all the key points from his remarks here as soon as we hear them.

Sam Francis
Political reporter

In his statement Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he would not be taking any "Points of Order" on the arrest of a parliamentary researcher over allegations of espionage.

Points of Order are normally a mundane part of the day-today running of debate in the House of Commons.

An MP stands up to ask the speaker for a clarification on the arcane rules of Parliament, or to make a ruling on a matter of procedure in the House of Commons.

But they are also a favourite method for MPs to raise a grievance or use parliamentary privilege to reveal a secret.

Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Hain used parliamentary privilege to break a court injunction which named retail mogul Philip Green as the man being investigated for allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse.

Sir Lindsay is not going to stand for any such attempts today.

The Commons Speaker tells Parliament that press coverage has been "unhelpful" and says MPs should raise security issues privately with him.

Here’s a quick summary of what Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle said to the Commons earlier:

• Two men were arrested in March on espionage charges and released on bail

• The house of Commons follows the same vetting procedures as the government and issues are being addressed
• Security arrangements are "under review at all times" to deal with evolving threats
• The people who needed to know were "immediately briefed on a strictly confidential basis"
• Hoyle also said Members were welcome to raise any security concerns outside of the House of Commons with the speaker’s office

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is due to speak at 15:30BST, stay with us for updates.

Helen Catt
Political correspondent

The Speaker’s intervention was designed to reassure jittery MPs that Parliament is on top of security.

But it also carried a heavy warning to them about what they might choose to say to the press and, in particular, on the floor of the House of Commons.

That’s because MPs can’t get sued for what they say in the Commons; they’re covered by ‘parliamentary privilege’.

On some previous occasions, MPs have used that privilege to name people whose identity otherwise hadn’t been reported in the media.

The House of Commons has moved on to its regularly scheduled defence questions, where MPs can ask ministers about policy matters.

But stick with us as Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is due to issue an update on the claims at around 15:30 BST.

Image source, House of Commons

Hoyle says if any members have security concerns they are "welcome to raise them" outside of the House of Commons with his office.

He then ends his brief statement by saying he will not be permitting points of order - where MPs can interject in debate - on the matter.

Hoyle says security arrangements are "under review at all times".

He adds that the small number of people who needed to know were "immediately briefed on a strictly confidential basis."

He warns MPs that "commenting on the identity of those alleged to have been involved in [an ongoing investigation] or engaging in speculation about the case or discussing other details, runs a serious risk of prejudicing future prosecutions".

Newspaper reports naming the man at the centre of the investigations "were unhelpful", Sir Lindsay adds.

Hoyle says security issues are not discussed on the floor of the House of Commons "for obvious reasons”.

He confirms that the police arrested two men in March and released them on bail.

The speaker also points out that the House of Commons follows the same security protocols as the government.