A British lawmaker, Joani Reid, has temporarily stepped aside from the parliamentary group of the ruling Labour Party after her husband was reportedly arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
According to police authorities, three individuals — including Reid’s husband, David Taylor — were arrested by counter-terrorism officers in London and Wales on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. However, the suspects were later released on bail pending further investigations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Reid announced that she would voluntarily suspend herself from the Labour parliamentary group until the party completes its internal inquiry.
“I am voluntarily suspending myself and will not sit as a Labour MP until internal investigations are concluded,” she said. “I welcome and will cooperate with any questions the party may have.”
Reid emphasized that she is not under police investigation and that no allegations have been made against her.
“I have done nothing wrong. I love my country,” she added.
The Metropolitan Police Service confirmed that the three suspects had been arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence agency but were later released on bail until May.
Media reports identified Taylor, 39, as one of the suspects. He is listed as a lobbyist in Reid’s register of interests and reportedly works for Asia House, according to his professional profile.
Reid said she had never seen anything that would make her suspect her husband had broken the law. She also clarified that neither she nor her children are involved in the investigation or in her husband’s business activities.
The arrests come amid growing political tension in the UK over allegations of Chinese espionage. The issue has also drawn attention following recent diplomatic engagement between Britain and China.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently visited Beijing in a bid to reset relations with the Asian power — the first visit by a British prime minister since 2018. The trip, along with plans for a major new Chinese embassy in London, has faced criticism from opposition politicians, human rights groups, and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China dismissed the claims, accusing critics of exaggerating espionage concerns.
“We have always opposed the hyping of so-called Chinese spy allegations, which damage China’s image and mislead the public,” the spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Starmer has defended his diplomatic outreach to China, describing it as an important step toward strengthening ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
Authorities say investigations into the suspected espionage case are ongoing.
