The husband of a Labour MP is one of three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China, counter-terrorism police have said. David Taylor, who is married to Joani Reid, the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, was detained in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service as part of a wider investigation into national security offences related to China.
Two other men, a 68-year-old from Powys and a 43-year-old from Pontyclun in Wales, were also arrested. Both are understood to be former Labour advisers. Taylor previously served as a special adviser to former Welsh secretary Peter Hain and works as a lobbyist for Earthcott, a company listed as a supporter of the Labour business group SME4Labour. He also serves as director of policy and programmes at the thinktank Asia House.
Following her husband's arrest, Ms Reid, a member of the home affairs select committee, said she had never suspected him of breaking any law. She added: “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 stated she has never visited China, spoken on China in Parliament, or raised Chinese interests.
The arrests come six months after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges of spying for China against two men, including a parliamentary aide who worked with two Conservative MPs. The decision has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over his approach to China, including his visit last year and approval of a Chinese “mega embassy” near the City of London.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed in the Commons that the arrests relate to “foreign interference targeting UK democracy” and said severe consequences would follow if proven. The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, stated that none of the arrested men held parliamentary passes granting access to the Westminster estate. Counter-terrorism detectives are also conducting searches at addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff.
