British MP's husband arrested on suspicion of spying for China

A Labour MP has issued a public statement after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

One of the three men detained is David Taylor, the spouse of Joani Reid, the Member of Parliament for East Kilbride and Strathaven.

In a statement to Sky News, Reid said she had no reason to believe her husband had committed any offence.

"I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law," she said.

Reid stressed that she is not involved in her husband's professional affairs and that neither she nor her children are part of the investigation. "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. Above all I expect media organisations to respect my children's privacy," she added.

The MP also sought to distance herself from any alleged links to China, stating she has never visited the country, spoken on China-related matters in Parliament, or engaged with Chinese businesses or officials in her capacity as an MP.

"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," she said.

Reid, the granddaughter of prominent trade unionist Jimmy Reid, was first elected to Parliament in the 2024 general election after serving eight years as a councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham.

Taylor is listed on the parliamentary register of interests as a director of Earthcott Limited, a lobbying firm.

Police have not released further details about the allegations, and investigations are ongoing.