A Russian working as a parliamentary aide to a British MP has been taken into detention to face deportation proceedings amid claims she is a spy.
According to the Sunday Times, Katia Zatuliveter, 25, was arrested on the orders of MI5 over espionage claims.
She has been working for Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock, who said she had done nothing wrong and would appeal.
The Home Office said it did not routinely comment on individual cases, nor would it confirm deportation moves.
But a security source is said to have told the Sunday Times that Ms Zatuliveter's presence was not "conducive to national security", and the intention was to "show her the door".
It is believed to be the first time since the end of the Cold War that someone working in Parliament has been accused of spying for the Russians, suggests the Sunday Times.
Mr Hancock said last night that Ms Zatuliveter was not a spy. He confirmed she was subject to a deportation order, which she would be appealing against.
He said she had done nothing wrong and he was sure she would be vindicated. Mr Hancock is an Liberal Democrat MP in Portsmouth, where there is a large naval base.
He also sits on the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.
