Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid arrested on China spy claims

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China in an investigation involving Scottish counter-terror police.

Arrests were made under the National Security Act in London and Wales.

Three suspects aged 39, 43 and 68 are being held in custody and the Metropolitan Police has said there is no “imminent or direct threat to the public”.

The Met Police said the trio are suspected of assisting Chinese intelligence services.

Searches were carried out at a property in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, as part of the investigation.

The area is represented by Labour MP Joani Reid in Westminster and SNP MSP Collette Stevenson at Holyrood.

One of those arrested is understood to be lobbying firm director David Taylor, the husband of Reid.

In a statement, 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 stated: “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.”

Other searches took place in London and Cardiff. The Met said the arrests and search activity “was supported by colleagues from CTP [counter-terrorism policing] Wales and CTP Scotland”.

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.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, UK security minister Dan Jarvis said the government will not “trade off security for economic access”.

He said “severe consequences” will follow if interference from Beijing is proven.

Jarvis told MPs: “This government stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor.”

The National Security Act was brought in two years ago and includes measures criminalising an act found to “materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities”.

Chinese authorities have been informed about the allegations.

The Met Police said enquiries are ongoing.