Labour MP Joani Reid’s husband arrested on suspicion of spying for China
Three men, one of whom was the partner of a Labor MP and a former special adviser to the ministry, were arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the men were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting China’s foreign intelligence service.
London Counter Terrorism Police arrested a 39-year-old man at an address in London, a 68-year-old man in Powys in central Wales and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun in South Wales.
Labor MP Joani Reid, whose husband David Taylor was one of those arrested, said: “I have seen nothing that would make me suspect my husband had broken any laws.
“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 as if we were by media outlets. Above all else, I expect media outlets to respect my children’s privacy.”
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Those detained were handed over to police teams.
Officers searched the addresses where the men were arrested and also carried out searches at three other addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of London Counter Terrorism Police, said: “We have seen a significant increase in our national security-related incidents in recent years and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malicious 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 is an imminent or direct threat to the public in relation to this. Our investigation is ongoing and we thank the public for their continued support.”
Ms Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said in a statement after her husband’s arrest: “I have never been to China. I have never spoken in the House of Commons on China or China-related issues. I have never asked questions on China-related issues.”
“To my knowledge, I have not met any Chinese companies, any Chinese diplomats or government employees during my time as an MP, nor have I incidentally raised any concerns with ministers or anyone else on behalf of Chinese interests.
“I am a social democrat who believes in free speech, free unions and free elections. I am not a fan or defender of the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship.”
Mr Taylor is director of policy and programs at the London-based Asia House think tank, but was previously a senior political adviser to the Labor Party and, in 2010, a special adviser to the then Wales secretary Peter Hain. Among his current roles, he is also advisor to the Central Asia all-party parliamentary group chaired by Labor MP Pam Cox.
A spokesperson for Asia House said: “We cannot comment on a live investigation, but we have been given no further information beyond what has been made public.”
The arrests come as concerns grow that China is trying to spy on British democracy following accusations last year over the collapse of a case involving a parliamentary investigator and a teacher. Both denied any wrongdoing. There are also concerns raised in the House of Commons about China being allowed to build a super embassy in London just days before Sir Keir Starmer travels to Beijing.
Addressing the latest arrests in Parliament, Security Minister Dan Jarvis warned of “serious consequences” if China is proven to be trying to interfere in Britain’s sovereign affairs.
Mr Jarvis said the investigation was “related to China” and “foreign interference in UK democracy”.
He told MPs: “Let me be clear, if there is proven evidence that China is attempting to interfere with the UK’s sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences and hold all actors involved to account.
“The government is taking strong steps to ensure that the UK’s democratic institutions and processes are not a difficult target for this activity. The National Security Act provides our intelligence agencies and law enforcement with the modern legal tools they need to deter, detect and disrupt all state threats.”
“The action that the counter-terrorism police were able to take this morning is an example of the legislation working well.”
But Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary Alex Burghart said: “Here we are again, another year, another Chinese spy scandal and this government’s failed policy of appeasement as a backdrop.
“The government must now be acutely aware that unless the UK stands up to these threats our country will continue to be treated with disdain.”
Mr Burghart touched on the earlier collapsed spy scandal case involving China and the recent approval of the Chinese mega-embassy in central London, recalling Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing for trade deals.
He added: “We in this House have watched these events take place, and the Chinese state has also watched and seen that it can act with impunity. The Minister says there is no trade-off between our democratic and national interests and our security interests and economic interests. But I am afraid that is exactly what has happened.”
