Labour MP confirms her husband was arrested over China spying allegations

The husband of a Labour Party MP in the UK has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Joani Reid confirmed that her husband, David Taylor, was detained by counter-terrorism officers in London on Wednesday for allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Taylor was one of three men—aged 39, 43, and 68—who were arrested in connection with the investigation, which took place in London and Wales.

The police have not released further details regarding the allegations, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Reid, the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said: “I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law.

“I am not part of my husband’s business activities and neither I nor my children are part of this investigation.”

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She added: “I have never been to China. I have never spoken on China or China related matters in the Commons. I have never asked a question on China-related matters.

“As far as I am aware I have never met any Chinese businesses whilst I have been an MP, any Chinese diplomats or government employees, nor raised any concern with ministers or anyone else on behalf of, even coincidentally, Chinese interests.

“I am a social democrat who believes in freedom of expression, free trade unions and free elections. I am not any sort of admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist party’s dictatorship.”

Security Minister Dan Jarvis told MPs in the House of Commons: “I can confirm to the House that British officials have formally démarche Chinese counterparts in London and Beijing about these allegations to raise our strong concerns.

“However, as this is a live investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further.

“But let me be clear, if there is proven evidence of attempts by China to interfere with UK sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences and hold all actors involved to account.

“In the meantime, the government is taking robust action to ensure the UK’s democratic institutions and processes are a hard target for this activity.

“The National Security Act provides our intelligence agencies and law enforcement with the modern legal tools they need to deter, detect and disrupt the full range of state threats. “The action counter terrorism police have been able to take this morning is an example that that legislation is working well.”

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We have seen a significant increase in our casework relating to national security in recent years, and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it.

“Today’s arrests are part of a proactive investigation and while these are serious matters, we do not believe there to be any imminent or direct threat to the public relating to this. Our investigation continues, and we thank the public for their ongoing support.”