MP not seen anything to suspect husband has 'broken any law', after China spy arrests

Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid has said she has never seen anything to make her suspect her husband has "broken any law" after her spouse David Taylor was arrested on suspicion of spying for China along with two other men.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Police said the men, aged 39, 43 and 68, had been arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act.

All three men, who have not been named by police, remain in custody. Searches were carried out at properties in London, Cardiff and East Kilbride on Wednesday.

Following Taylor's arrest, Reid said in a statement that she is "not part of" her husband's business activities.

She added: "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."

Reid, who was elected as the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven constituency in 2024, added that she had never been to China nor had she ever spoken on any China-related matters in the House of Commons.

"I have never asked a question on China-related matters," she said.

"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."

She added that she is a social democrat who believes in "freedom of expression, free trade unions and free elections" and not any sort of "admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist party's dictatorship".

Hours before Reid's statement, the Met Police said a 39-year-old man had been arrested in London.

The force added that a 68-year-old man had been detained in Powys, Wales and a 43-year-old man had been arrested in Pontyclun, Wales.

Police said all three have been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act, which was introduced in 2023 to target suspects accused of working against UK interests.

The Met said they were supported by counter-terror police in Wales and in Scotland.

An address linked to one of the arrested men in Pontyclun was being searched. A car outside was also searched and photographed.

Taylor is a former adviser to Welsh Labour politicians and former Labour candidate to become North Wales police and crime commissioner.

The Welsh government said it does not comment on live police investigations.

The Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd have tabled a request for an urgent statement from the first minister.

Meanwhile, a Police Scotland spokesperson said the force had carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the Met had seen a "significant increase" in national security casework in recent years, but officers were working to "disrupt malign activity where we suspect it".

The arrests come weeks after Sir Keir Starmer visited Beijing, as the government looks to pursue a cautious reset of UK–China economic ties.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis told Parliament if Chinese interference in UK sovereign affairs were proven, "severe consequences" would be imposed.

"This government stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor," he told MPs.

British officials had informed Chinese counterparts in London and Beijing about the allegations, he added.

Jarvis also said it would be "naive" for anyone to say that the UK should not have a "functional working relationship with China".

In response to Jarvis in the Commons, shadow cabinet office minister Alex Burghart said: "Unless the United Kingdom stands up to these threats, our country will continue to be treated with disdain."

Burghart referenced the previous collapsed spy scandal case involving China, and the recent approval of the Chinese mega-embassy in central London, despite opponents warning it could be used as a base for espionage and pose security risks.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch posted a video on X, saying: "The spouse of a sitting Labour MP has reportedly been arrested for spying, alongside the partner of a former Labour MP.

"These men were arrested under the National Security Act, suspected of assisting a foreign intelligence service, directly targeting our democracy.

"China is targeting Britain, targeting our MPs. Enough.

She also criticised Sir Keir's decision to visit Beijing in January, and the government's approval to build a new Chinese embassy in London.

Additional reporting by Ella Kipling.