Joani Reid, the Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, has said she had no reason to suspect her husband, David Taylor, of breaking the law after he was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Taylor is one of three men arrested as part of an investigation.
In a statement to Sky News, Reid 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, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are.' She also urged media outlets to respect her children's privacy.
The arrest comes amid heightened tensions over national security. Separately, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over his handling of the Iran conflict. Badenoch accused Starmer of being 'pathetic' and 'weak' for not authorising the use of British bases for US strikes against Iranian targets.
Starmer defended his decision, telling MPs he was 'not prepared to join a war unless there was a lawful basis and a viable thought-through plan.' He also warned of the impact of rising energy prices on families and the risk to civilians and military personnel in the region.
