Labour MP Under Investigation After Husband's Arrest
Labour MP Joani Reid is currently under investigation by the Labour Party following the arrest of her husband, David Taylor, on suspicion of spying for China.
Taylor, a businessman and former Labour adviser, is one of three men accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The other two men, aged 43 and 68, were arrested in Wales, while Taylor was arrested in London.
Reid, who represents East Kilbride and Strathaven, issued a statement asserting that she was not involved in her husband's business dealings and had never observed any indication that he had violated the law.
"Neither I nor my children are part of this investigation, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the situation as "deeply concerning" and confirmed that Reid had been referred to the party's governance and legal unit. He indicated that decisions regarding her status within the party would be made later on Thursday.
Taylor and the other two men have been released on bail. Counter-terrorism police have conducted searches at the locations where the arrests occurred, as well as additional properties in London, East Kilbride, and Cardiff.
When questioned about whether Reid should be suspended or step down from her role on Westminster's home affairs committee during the investigation, Sarwar stated these considerations were under review by the governance and legal unit.
"This is incredibly serious, deeply concerning, a matter of national security rightly being investigated by the police and that needs to be a thorough investigation so we can get to the bottom of it."
Sarwar also addressed concerns about international interference in politics, emphasizing that there was no evidence of donations to the Scottish Labour Party linked to this case.
"Let's be really clear here, we don't see any kind of indications of donations, for example, that have come to the Scottish Labour Party."
He added that he had attended an event with Taylor's PR company within the past year but did not know him well and had no personal relationship with him.
Joani Reid's Statement and Background
Following Taylor's arrest, Reid clarified her position regarding the investigation.
"Neither I nor my children are part of this investigation, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are."
She highlighted that she has never traveled to China nor spoken on China-related issues in the House of Commons.
"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."
Reid described herself as a social democrat who supports freedom of expression, free trade unions, and free elections, and denied being an admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist Party's dictatorship.
Taylor's background includes serving as an adviser to Welsh Labour politicians and running as the party's candidate for North Wales police and crime commissioner.
Financial Connections Between Reid and Taylor
According to reports first published by The Herald, Reid's consultancy company, Reid Strategy Limited, received over £23,000 in interest-free loans from two of Taylor's businesses.
Company accounts for 2022-23 reveal that Reid Strategy received £1,363 from Moblake Limited and £22,030 from Earthcott Ltd, both without specified repayment terms. Taylor was the sole director of these companies.
Reid Strategy was dissolved in 2024 after Reid's election to Parliament. Since 2024, she had been paid nearly £380,000 by the company.
Moblake, a construction firm, was wound up in 2024 after providing Taylor with £605,872 in interest-free loans without repayment terms.
Earthcott, a PR, communications, and consultancy firm established in 2021, has paid Taylor over £300,000 in dividends and a £30,000 interest-free loan.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either Reid or Taylor concerning these financial transactions, which have been reported to Companies House.
Who is Joani Reid?
Born in Glasgow, Joani Reid spent much of her career in London, where she served as head of policy for the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
Following the example of her grandfather, the renowned trade unionist Jimmy Reid, she pursued a political career and was elected as a Labour councillor in Lewisham in 2014.
Reid relocated to East Kilbride in 2022 and was elected to the Westminster Parliament in 2024. She is a member of the Commons home affairs committee and has actively supported calls for a Scottish grooming gangs inquiry.
Her grandfather, Jimmy Reid, led a successful campaign against the closure of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in 1971. He stood as a Labour candidate in the 1979 election for the Dundee East seat but was unsuccessful.
Jimmy Reid passed away in 2010 at the age of 78. He later became a respected journalist and broadcaster and joined the SNP in 2005 after becoming disillusioned with Labour.
