Husband of Labour MP among three men arrested in London and Wales on suspicion of spying for China

Ms Reid has denied any knowledge which would point to her to suspect her husband, David Taylor, of spying for the Chinese.

She said: “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.

"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.

“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 listed as Head of Programmes at the think-tank Asia House and was an adviser to ex-Cabinet minister, Lord Peter Hain.

He served as a special adviser to former Welsh First Ministers, Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones.

The Scottish MP's husband was also once a Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Wales.

Three men were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, the Metropolitan Police confirmed earlier today.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “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.”

A 39-year-old man at a London address, a 68-year-old man at an address in Powys and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, both in Wales, have been taken into custody.

As part of the investigation, searches were also carried out at three other addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said in the House of Commons: "I can confirm that this relates to China. I can also confirm this relates to foreign interference targeting UK democracy.

"For reasons that you will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any aspect of what is now a live investigation.

“It is absolutely critical that we do not hamper the work of the police or prejudice any future legal processes by what we say in this House today.

“I would, however, point the House to what the counter terrorism police have just said in their own statement, namely, that this morning officers from counter terrorism policing arrested three men as part of an investigation into suspected National Security Act 2023 offences."

The security minister said however, that it "continues to be in our long-term strategic interest to engage with China".

Shadow Cabinet Office minister, Alex Burghart said in response to the news: "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.”

Alex Barros-Curtis, Labour MP for Cardiff West, has requested a meeting with Mr Jarvis following the arrest of the three men.

He told the Commons he understood one of the arrests happened in his constituency (the 43-year-old man in Pontyclun).

Mr Jarvis responded saying he would be "happy to meet with him at the earliest available opportunity".

The Liberal Democrats have questioned whether the Government will reassess its decision to allow a Chinese mega-embassy to be built in London, in light of the arrests.

Lisa Smart, the Lib Dems' spokeswoman said in the Commons: "How many times must we all come to this House to hear a report of further rounds of arrests under counter terrorism legislation for this Government to take this action?

“Does the Government plan to review its decision to allow the building of the Chinese mega-embassy, and will the Government go further to stop foreign money being funnelled into our democracy?”

Mr Jarvis responded, saying he "understands" why the embassy is being brought up in light of the news, but said there is "a strong national security case for the embassy."

Sir Edward Leigh, the Father of the House, said the plans to build the embassy should be halted until China "learn to behave" and called the summoning of the Chinese ambassador.

Asia House have declined to comment.