Joani Reid has stepped down from the Labour Party whip while an internal party investigation takes place following the arrest of her husband on suspicion of spying for China.
Reid’s husband, David Taylor, is believed to be one of three men detained by counter-terrorism police on suspicion of assisting foreign intelligence services. Two other men, Steve Jones, 68, and Matthew Aplin, 43, were also arrested during coordinated police operations.
All three were later released on bail while the investigation continues. In a statement shared on X, Reid confirmed she had voluntarily suspended herself from the party whip and would not sit as a Labour MP until the inquiry is concluded.
“This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family,” she said. “I want to reiterate something very important: I am not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been against me. I have done nothing wrong.”
Reid said she made the decision after discussions with party leadership to ensure the situation does not distract from the work of the government led by Keir Starmer.
“Following discussions with the Chief Whip, I am voluntarily suspending myself from the whip this evening and will not sit as a Labour MP until internal investigations are concluded,” she said. “I, and my team, will continue to serve my constituents in the normal way as their Member of Parliament.”
A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed that Reid had agreed to cooperate fully with the party’s internal investigation and described the allegations surrounding the arrests as extremely serious. “These are incredibly serious allegations. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
The arrests were carried out as part of an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, with searches conducted at several properties in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff. Reid earlier defended her husband and said she had never seen anything that suggested he had broken the law.
“I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law,” she said. She also stressed that she had no involvement in her husband’s professional activities and denied any links to Chinese interests.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Reid added that she believes in democratic values and rejected any suggestion that she supports the Chinese government. “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,” she said.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, although police have said there is currently no immediate threat to the public.
Helen Flanagan, commander of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the arrests were part of a proactive national security investigation. “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,” she said.
