Husband of Labour MP among three arrested over 'spying for China'

Parliament has been plunged into a fresh security crisis after the partner of a Labour MP was arrested along with two other men on suspicion of spying for China.

Detectives detained three people earlier today on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence services contrary to the National Security Act. 

Joani Reid's husband David Taylor, 39, was arrested at an address in London; police also arrested a 68-year-old man at an address in Powys, Wales and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, Wales.

Some reports have claimed one of the other arrested men is the partner of a former Labour MP. 

The UK government has lodged formal protests with the Chinese authorities about the alleged activities. The news prompted demands for a review of the decision to grant permission for Beijing's new 'super-embassy' in London. 

Nigel Farage urged an investigation into the 'depth' of Labour's links with China's communist party. Tory frontbencher Neil O'Brien said the allegations raised 'massive security questions'. 

Kemi Badenoch pointed to the fact China is still not classified as a 'threat' under national security laws. 'Keir Starmer needs to stop being naive, grow a backbone, and treat China like the threat we all know it is,' she said. 

However, Ms Reid, who was elected MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven at the last election and sits on the home affairs committee, said in a statement: 'I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law.' 

Mr Taylor was previously an adviser to former Cabinet minister Peter Hain. He has a consultancy and has also been head of programmes at Asia House, a think-tank that aims to foster 'meaningful dialogue' between Asia and Europe. 

Ms Reid 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. Above all I expect media organisations to respect my children's privacy.'

Ms Reid said: '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.'

Police have searched the addresses where the three men were arrested, as well as three other addresses in London, Cardiff and East Kilbride near Glasgow. 

Speaking in the Commons after the arrests, Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed they related to 'foreign interference targeting UK democracy'. 

He added that the Government 'stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity' and has been 'consistent and unambiguous in our assessment that China presents a series of threats to the United Kingdom'.

Mr Jarvis said British officials had 'formally demarched' Chinese counterparts in London and Beijing to raise 'strong concerns' about the allegations. 

'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,' he added. 

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also told MPs that the partner of a Labour MP who was reportedly arrested did not have a pass to access the parliamentary estate. 

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart later responded to Mr Jarvis' statement to the House, saying: 'Here we are again, another year, another Chinese spy scandal, and the backdrop to it is this Government's failed policy of appeasement.

'The Government must now surely be coming to the realisation that unless the United Kingdom stands up to these threats, our country will continue to be treated with disdain.'

Mr Burghart went on to a previous collapsed spy scandal case involving China and the recent approval of the Chinese mega-embassy in central London.

He added: 'We in this House watched as these things happen, and the Chinese state watched too and saw that it could act with impunity. 

'The minister says there is no trade-off between our democratic and national interests, and security interests, and our economic interests. But I'm afraid that is exactly what has happened.'

Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman, said there was no mention of adding China to the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs).

She said: 'How many times must we all come to this House to hear a report of further rounds of arrests under counter terrorism legislation for this Government to take this action?

'Does the Government plan to review its decision to allow the building of the Chinese mega-embassy, and will the Government go further to stop foreign money being funnelled into our democracy?'

Security minister Dan Jarvis responded that he 'understands' why she would raise the embassy, insisting there is 'a strong national security case for the embassy'.

All three men were detained under PACE (the Police and Criminal Evidence Act) and were taken into custody, where they remain. 

The Met says enquiries remain ongoing. The arrests and search activity were supported by officers from Counter Terrorism Police in Wales and Scotland.

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.'

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'On Wednesday March 4 2026, we carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.' 

Responding to the arrest this afternoon, shadow National Security Minister Alicia Kearns wrote on X: 'This is the inevitable outcome when espionage is conducted without accountability. 

'There have still been no repercussions for the Chinese Communist Party putting a spy in Parliament.

'Why? Ask the Government who must answer for their abject failure to act, and therefore to deter future attacks on our democracy.'

The arrests come just weeks after Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited President Xi Jinping in a bid to reset relations with China.