A Scottish Labour MP has claimed she has “never seen anything” to suggest that her husband has “broken any law” after he was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
Joani Reid’s partner, David Taylor, is among three men taken into custody by counter terror police.
The 39-year-old, who is a lobbyist and director of Earthcott, was arrested in London on Wednesday. A property in Reid’s East Kilbride constituency was searched by Scottish counter-terror officers.
Taylor is also the director of policy and programmes at Asia House, which is a London-based think tank aiming to connect Asia, the Middle East, and Europe in Politics and business
He did not have a pass to access the parliamentary estate, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.
‘I have never been to China’
Ms Reid has said she was not part of any of her “husband’s business activities”.
She said: “I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law.
“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.”
The MP said that she has “never been to China” and never met any diplomats from the country.
Ms Reid added: 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.”
A 68-year-old man in Powys, mid-Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, South Wales, have also been arrested in connection with allegations of spying.
Counter terror officers in England and Wales have also searched addresses in London and Cardiff.
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.”
The arrests relate to foreign interference targeting UK democracy, Dan Jarvis has told the Commons.
The security minister said: “I would like to make a statement regarding the three arrests that took place this morning as part of a counter terrorism policing investigation into suspected National Security Act offences.
“I can confirm that this relates to China. I can also confirm this relates to foreign interference targeting UK democracy. For reasons that you will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any aspect of what is now a live investigation.
“It is absolutely critical that we do not hamper the work of the police or prejudice any future legal processes by what we say in this House today.
“I would, however, point the House to what the counter terrorism police have just said in their own statement, namely, that this morning officers from counter terrorism policing arrested three men as part of an investigation into suspected National Security Act 2023 offences.
“All three men were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section three of the National Security Act. Of course, any decision as to whether to proceed with a prosecution would be a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.”
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