David Vance SubstackRead More
Did you see that three men have been arrested on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence services in violation of the National Security Act 2023? These arrests were carried out by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit and relate to alleged foreign interference targeting UK democracy.
Which brings us to Labour.
You see one of the suspects is David Taylor, husband of Labour MP Joani Reid, who represents East Kilbride and Strathaven. Her grandfather was the deep red marxist trade unionist from Glasgow, John Reid,
Taylor was detained at an address in London. The other two are a 68-year-old man arrested in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man arrested in Pontyclun, Wales. We will not speculate on their identities or any putative political links at this point.
All three men remain in custody as investigations continue. Searches extended to additional properties in London, Cardiff, and East Kilbride near Glasgow, with support from Welsh and Scottish counter-terrorism officers.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism described the operation as part of a proactive investigation amid a significant rise in national security cases. She emphasised no imminent threat to the public exists, thanking the public for their support.
Now these arrests have prompted swift political fallout. Security Minister Dan Jarvis told Parliament the government views China as posing serious threats and has lodged formal protests with Chinese authorities in London and Beijing. He affirmed the UK’s resolve to counter interference and impose severe consequences if proven
.Joani Reid issued a statement trying to. distance herself from the probe:
“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.”
She stressed her lack of involvement with China, noting she has never visited the country, spoken on China-related matters in Parliament, or met Chinese officials or businesses in her capacity as MP.
Let’s just focus on her claim that she is not part of her husband’s business activities.
The Herald suggests that Joani Reid’s consultancy company received more than £20k in interest free loans from two of her husband’s businesses. Did she not know that?
We might also wonder how did Joani Reid‘s partner’s one man band lobbying company go from having 70k in cash and debtors in 2023 to over a million in 2024 ?
Interestingly Joani also sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee, which was involved in decisions relating to the Chinese Embassy.
Nigel Farage has rightly called for scrutiny of Labour’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
It is surely very embarrassing that this incident follows Starmer’s recent much trumpeted efforts to “reset” UK-China relations.
It also underscores persistent worries about Beijing’s influence operations in British politics.
