British man accused of spying for China is found dead in park

A former British marine accused of spying for Hong Kong authorities in Britain has died in unexplained circumstances, police said Tuesday.

Matthew Trickett, 37, was found by police late Sunday afternoon at Grenfell Park in Maidenhead, a town west of London, after a report from a member of the public. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chinese officials have criticized the charges, describing them as the latest in a series of “groundless and slanderous accusations” by London against Beijing amid rising tensions between the two countries over alleged Chinese espionage.

Read more: NBC News