David Taylor, 39, was one of three men detained in a coordinated operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit in London and Wales. The men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, with the investigation said to relate specifically to China.

Taylor, married to Reid, the Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, was arrested at an address in London. The two other suspects were detained in Pontyclun and Powys, Wales. All three remain in custody as detectives continue to question them. Searches were also carried out at multiple addresses, including in East Kilbride, Cardiff and London.

In a statement following the arrest, Joani Reid sought to distance herself from the allegations and called for privacy for her family. “I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law,” she said, adding that she is not involved in his business activities and that neither she nor their children are part of the investigation. “Above all, I expect media organisations to respect my children’s privacy.”

Reid, who sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee, stressed she has never been to China, never spoken on China-related matters in Parliament, and has had no dealings with Chinese businesses or diplomats during her time as an MP.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said authorities have seen a “significant increase” in national security casework in recent years. “Today’s arrests are part of a proactive investigation,” she said, noting that while the matters are serious, there is no belief of any imminent or direct threat to the public.

The operation comes amid broader concerns over foreign interference in UK democratic processes, with ministers emphasising robust legal tools to counter state threats.