He was attractive, into sports and appeared just like any other professional in his 20s.
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We bonded over Westminster drink receptions and dating-disaster stories, which now seems ironic.
He said he worked for an organisation advising MPs on China.
He spoke passionately about how he lived in the region but was banned from returning.
We arranged drinks many times but at the last minute something always came up.
Eventually I lost interest.
But I often saw him around and he continued to message journalists with briefings on China.
So my jaw dropped when I learned he’d been arrested on spying allegations.
If someone so seemingly normal can live a double life and lie like this — who else is doing the same?
Last night I re-read our texts.
When I asked if one date was still on, he said: “Such a sceptic! Not without good reason to be fair.”
Another time I joked about joining his organisation.
He said: “Careful what you wish for.”
I had a lucky escape with Mr X but what if the next person, or the country, doesn’t?
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