Labour MP’s husband arrested on suspicion of spying for China

On Wednesday 4 March, Metropolitan Police officers arrested three men on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Their charge is contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Sky News have reported that officers arrested a 39-year-old man in London, a 68-year-old man in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, Wales. They are all now being held in custody for the alleged offences. Of particular concern, one of those arrested is David Taylor, husband of Labour MP Joani Reid.

Since, Joani Reid has made a public statement on her husband’s arrest and requests privacy for the sake of her and her children.

Reid’s statement in full:

“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 East Kilbride and Strathaven MP 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 business 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.”

Labour — ‘Assisting a foreign intelligence service’

Reid’s husband, Taylor, is listed on the MP’s register of interests as the director of the lobbying firm Earthcott Limited. According to Sky News:

The investigation relates to China, police said, adding that the arrests were supported by the Welsh and Scottish branches of Counter Terrorism Policing.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “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.

This has prompted calls from the Liberal Democrats to review the UK governments controversial decision to approve China’s ‘mega embassy’ in the heart of London. Lisa Smart, their Cabinet Office spokeswoman 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?

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he understood the Liberal Democrats’ concerns. Nevertheless, he tried to reassure them that the government had based its decision regarding China’s embassy on strong national security grounds. Meanwhile, Father of the House and Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh argued that the government should pause the embassy plans until China “learns to behave.” He also called on the British government to summon the Chinese ambassador.

Notably, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle appears to have confirmed that the MP’s husband did not have a pass to access the parliamentary estate. This reassurance came after a question about privileged access came from Tory Ben Obese-Jecty.

Tory MP Greggory Stafford has also insisted on the release of all correspondence relating to China that the Labour MP was privy to. Stafford suggested the MP “sits on a select committee that would have information which is sensitive, maybe even secret”. They also raised concerns that they may have visited defence sites across the UK:

Has there been and will there be an urgent review of what sensitive information that Member of Parliament might have been party to?

And, at the appropriate juncture, would he release any correspondence between his department and that Member of Parliament around things like the Chinese embassy and other matters related to China?

Review into foreign financial interference

Philip Rycroft is currently leading a review into foreign financial interference in the UK’s political and electoral systems. Security minister Jarvis reassured MP’s that Rycroft is independent to the government and will undoubtedly reflect on the events today to inform his review further.

The review itself, of course, is being conducted independently by Philip Rycroft.

He will report by the end of this month which means – and of course, it is independent – that is absolutely time and space for him to reflect on any events that have taken place recently.

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Adding that the review:

will inform government policy, not least in terms of cracking down on some of the foreign money – all of the foreign money – that should not be.

Featured image via twitter