Anas Sarwar confirms probe after Scottish Labour MP’s husband accused of spying for China
Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar confirmed the party was “investigating” what happened after the husband of an MP was arrested over allegations he was spying for China.
David Taylor, husband of East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Joani Reid, and two other men were arrested by counter-terrorism officers at addresses in London and Wales on Wednesday.
After her arrest, the Scottish Labor MP released a statement saying she had “seen nothing that would make me suspect my husband had broken any laws”. Mrs Reid added: “I am not part of my husband’s business activities.”
Speaking to reporters in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Mr Sarwar described the situation as “deeply worrying” and said he wanted to “get to the bottom of these matters”.
He said: “This is an incredibly serious, deeply worrying national security matter that is rightly being investigated by the police. And this needs to be a thorough investigation so we can get to the bottom of it.”
“This situation deeply concerns the entire political spectrum. I think the extent of international interference in our broader policies now is very serious indeed.
“I think we’ve seen international interference in our elections, in our everyday democracy, which is a matter of national security. In this particular case, of course, that requires a full and comprehensive police investigation. We need to get to the bottom of these issues.”
He added: “As far as our own colleagues in the Scottish Labor Party are concerned, as I said, we have an independent administration and legal unit that deals with these matters and we will make the decisions.”
Asked whether Ms Reid should be suspended, he added: “Correct, this is an independent management and legal unit process. We are looking at all the questions that arise from this and will come to a decision later.”
Mr Taylor was also asked whether he was a member of the Labor Party. “I’m not sure whether he’s a member, whether he’s a member of the Scottish Labor Party or whether he’s actually a member elsewhere, but we can investigate that and get back to you,” he said.
“But if that is the case, I am sure his membership will be suspended.”
Mr Taylor, a former adviser to former Wales secretary Lord Peter Hain who now works at the Asia House think tank, is linked to companies Earthcott Ltd, a public relations firm, and Moblake Associates Ltd, a management consultancy, which is dissolved in 2024.
Documents show Earthcott and Moblake gave an interest-free loan worth £23,393 in 2023 to Reid Strategies, of which Ms Reid is the sole director, with no date to repay the money.
Independent He contacted Ms Reid about the loans but an ally pointed out that Reid Strategies had been liquidated before he became an MP in the July 4, 2024 general election.
Mr Taylor, 39, and two other detained men, aged 43 and 68, were released on bail until May.
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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.
“These 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.”
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.”
