MP Expresses Support for Husband Amid Arrests in China Spying Investigation

Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid has stated that she has seen nothing to suspect her husband has broken any law after his arrest on suspicion of spying for China. The arrests are part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act, which aims to target suspects accused of working against UK interests.

The Metropolitan Police said the men, aged 39, 43, and 68, had been arrested in London and Wales as part of the investigation. All three men, who have not been named by police, remain in custody. Searches were carried out at properties in London, Cardiff, and East Kilbride on Wednesday.

Following the arrest, Reid said in a statement that she is not part of her husband's business activities. She added that neither she nor her children are part of this investigation and should not be treated by media organizations as though they are. Reid also emphasized the importance of respecting her children's privacy.

Reid, who was elected as the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven constituency in 2024, stated that she had never been to China nor had she ever spoken on any China-related matters in the House of Commons. She added that she has never met any Chinese businesses while she has been an MP, any Chinese diplomats or government employees, nor raised any concern with ministers or anyone else on behalf of Chinese interests.

Reid described herself as a social democrat who believes in freedom of expression, free trade unions, and free elections, and not any sort of admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist party's dictatorship.

The Met Police said a 39-year-old man had been arrested in London, a 68-year-old man had been detained in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man had been arrested in Pontyclun, Wales. Police said all three have been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act.

The Welsh government said it does not comment on live police investigations. The Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd have tabled a request for an urgent statement from the first minister.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force had carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the Met had seen a significant increase in national security casework in recent years, but officers were working to disrupt malign activity where suspected.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis told Parliament that if Chinese interference in UK sovereign affairs were proven, severe consequences would be imposed. This government stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor, he told MPs.

The arrests come weeks after Sir Keir Starmer visited Beijing, as the government looks to pursue a cautious reset of UK-China economic ties. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch posted a video criticizing Sir Keir's decision to visit Beijing in January and the government's approval to build a new Chinese embassy in London.