Labour MP Joani Reid’s husband arrested on suspicion of spying for China | EUROtoday

Three males – one in every of whom is the companion of a sitting Labour MP and former ministerial particular advisor – have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

The males have been arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of helping China’s overseas intelligence service, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Counter Terrorism Policing London arrested a 39-year-old man at an handle in London, a 68-year-old man in Powys in central Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, south Wales.

Labour MP Joani Reid, whose husband David Taylor is likely one of the individuals arrested, mentioned: “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.”

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Those arrested have been taken into police custody, the place they continue to be.

Officers have searched the addresses the place the lads have been arrested and have additionally carried out searches at three different addresses in London, East Kilbride, and Cardiff.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, mentioned: “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.”

In an announcement launched after her partner’s arrest, East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Ms Reid mentioned: “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.

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“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.”

Mr Taylor is the director of coverage and programmes on the London-based Asia House suppose tank, however was beforehand a senior political advisor for the Labour Party and a particular advisor to the then Welsh secretary Peter Hain in 2010. Among his present roles, he’s additionally an advisor to the Central Asia all-party parliamentary group, chaired by Labour MP Pam Cox.

A spokesperson for Asia House mentioned: “We cannot comment on a live investigation, but no further information has been provided to us beyond what has been made public.”

The arrests come at a time of heightened considerations about China attempting to spy on British democracy after recriminations over the collapse of a courtroom case final 12 months involving a parliamentary researcher and a trainer. Both denied any wrongdoing. There have additionally been considerations expressed within the Commons over China being permitted to construct an excellent embassy in London simply days earlier than Sir Keir Starmer made a visit to Beijing.

Addressing the newest arrests in parliament, safety minister Dan Jarvis warned there will likely be “severe consequences” whether it is confirmed that China tried to intervene with UK sovereign affairs.

Mr Jarvis mentioned the investigation “relates to China” and “foreign interference targeting UK democracy”.

He advised MPs: “Let me be clear, if there is proven evidence of attempts by China to interfere with UK sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences and hold all actors involved to account.

“The government is taking robust action to ensure the UK’s democratic institutions and processes are a hard target for this activity. The National Security Act provides our intelligence agencies and law enforcement with the modern legal tools they need to deter, detect and disrupt the full range of state threats.

“The action counterterrorism police have been able to take this morning is an example that legislation is working well.”

But Tory shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart mentioned: “Here we are again, another year, another Chinese spy scandal, and the backdrop to it is this government’s failed policy of appeasement.

“The government must now surely be coming to the realisation that unless the United Kingdom stands up to these threats, our country will continue to be treated with disdain.”

Mr Burghart referenced the earlier collapsed spy scandal case involving China and the current approval of the Chinese mega-embassy in central London and recalled Sir Keir Starmer’s go to to Beijing for commerce offers.

He added: “We in this House watched as these things happen, and the Chinese state watched too and saw that it could act with impunity. The minister says there is no trade-off between our democratic and national interests, and security interests, and our economic interests. But I’m afraid that is exactly what has happened.”