Joani Reid, the Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, has voluntarily suspended herself from the parliamentary party following the arrest of her husband, David Taylor, on suspicion of spying for China. Reid announced on Thursday night that she would step back while an internal Labour investigation is carried out, stating that the past week had been 'the worst of my life'.
David Taylor, a former special adviser to Labour peer Peter Hain, was arrested on Wednesday under the National Security Act alongside two other men, aged 43 and 68. All three were released on bail until May. Taylor has also been suspended from the Labour party pending an investigation, with a party spokesperson describing the allegations as 'incredibly serious'.
In a statement, Reid emphasised that she is not under police investigation and has done nothing wrong. She said she had never been to China, never spoken on China-related matters in the Commons, and had no involvement in her husband's business activities. Reid added that she did not want her family to be a distraction for the government and would cooperate fully with the party's inquiry.
The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese espionage in the UK, following the collapse of a previous spying case six months ago. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism for his recent visit to China and for allowing plans for a Chinese 'mega-embassy' near the City of London to proceed. Police also raided the homes of a journalist and a former Labour aide as part of their inquiries.
