Husband of Scots MP arrested over claims he is Chinese spy amid counter-terror probe

David Taylor, the husband of Joani Reid MP, has been arrested over claims he has been acting as a spy for China.

The 39-year-old was detained in London. Officers also carried out a raid on a property in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, earlier today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Police Scotland confirmed the operation, which was  led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

The Metropolitan Police said men, aged 43 and 68,were also arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation.

The probe is being carried out under the National Security Act and the trio remain in custody in relation to the claims.

Scottish Labour MP Reid, who was elected as the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven constituency in 2024, released a statement after he was arrested.

She said: "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. 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, nor raised any concern with ministers or anyone else on behalf of, even coincidentally, Chinese interests."

She also said she is 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".

Hours before Reid's statement, the Met Police said a 39-year-old man had been arrested in London.

The 43-year-old man was arrested in Pontyclun, Wales, while the 68-year-old was arrested in Powys, Wales.

All three have been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act.

The law, which was introduced in 2023, is designed to target suspects accused of working against UK interests.

Taylor is a former adviser to Welsh Labour politicians and former Labour candidate to become North Wales police and crime commissioner.