Labour MP issues statement after husband arrested in China spy probe

Labour waters down 'Islamophobia' definition over free speech backlash

The Labour Party is expected to water down its "Islamophobia" definition as part of a push to head off a free speech backlash.

Ministers look set to remove references to the “racialisation” of Muslims and describe the phrase as “anti-Muslim hatred”.

There have also been criticisms over the definition being created by a behind-closed-doors “working group”.

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

The husband of a Scottish Labour MP is among the three men arrested in London and Wales of suspicion of spying for China.

David Taylor, husband of Joani Reid, Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, is alleged to be one of the three men that was arrested today.

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.”

READ THE STORY IN FULL

Starmer puts his foot down - don't need to 'hang on Trump's every word'

Sir Keir Starmer insisted the special relationship with the US would endure despite Donald Trump’s personal attack on him.

However, the Prime Minister said “hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action”, reinforcing Britain's agency to make it's own choices.

He also defended his decision not to allow the US to use British bases in the opening assault against the Tehran regime, suggesting it could have been unlawful and lacked a “viable, thought-through plan”.

Sir Keir added: “What I was not prepared to do on Saturday was for the UK to join a war unless I was satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. That remains my position".

Gorton and Denton by-election 'revealed full depth of chasm between people and politics', says Andy Burnham

The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester suggested during a Centre for Cities think tank event in central London that the by-election, won by the Greens, demonstrated that Westminster was not focused on the priorities of ordinary people.

Mr Burnham said: "What I want to say today is that the time has most definitely come for a serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture, particularly so in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton by-election.

"It revealed the full depth of the chasm between people and Westminster politics. I don’t think anybody can seriously dispute that statement".

Mr Burnham described polling by More in Common, which found a majority of people do not think the cost-of-living crisis will ever end, as “code red for Westminster politics”.

He added: “This is getting extremely dangerous, and change in our political system and culture is desperately needed".

Partner of Labour MP arrested 'did not have access to parliamentary estate', Commons confirms

The partner of a Labour MP who was reportedly arrested did not have a pass to access the parliamentary estate, the Speaker said.

Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked whether “the partner of the sitting Labour MP arrested” had such a pass.

Security minister Dan Jarvis replied: “He will understand I have come here at extremely short notice in order to provide an update to the House.

“I can’t get into the operational details of matters that took place just a few hours ago.”

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “Just to reassure you, the answer is ‘no’".

Elsewhere, police in Scotland made an arrest this afternoon, believed to be linked to the above incident.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, we carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London".

Slew of dissatisfaction over Rachel Reeves' 'empty' Spring Statement

Conservative MPs have shared their dissatisfaction with yesterday's Spring Statement from Rachel Reeves, deemed hollow of any promise of positive change to the UK economy.

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative party, said in the Commons: “Yesterday, the Chancellor could have given more money to defence. Instead, she gave more money for welfare. Their priorities are all wrong.”

She asked: “Why is he (Sir Keir) leaving the job of funding our armed forces to the next government?”

Mark Francois, shadow armed forces minister and MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, told GB News: "There was hardly anything in yesterday’s announcement to genuinely help constituents with cost of living pressures. It was just a lot of slogans and not much else, really".

Badenoch brands Labour 'pathetic' for prioritising welfare spending over defence

The Tory leader said “this crisis goes beyond defence spending” and that Labour is “pathetic” to spend on welfare instead of defence.

“They’re not just pathetic, they are also weak. This war is interrupting the supply of oil and gas. That is driving up the cost of petrol and making it more expensive to heat our homes".

She accused the PM of blocking drilling in the North Sea and importing the same gas from Norway.

He replied: “We are keeping in close contact with our allies and key industry players” but adds that if Ukraine and the last few days have taught us anything, it is that relying on the international market leaves the UK vulnerable which is why it is investing in renewable energy.

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

A partner of a Labour MP is among three men who have been arrested in London and Wales on suspicion of spying for China, it has been alleged.

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

The country to which the investigation is related to is China.

One of the men is a partner of a sitting Labour MP and another is understood to be the partner of a former Labour MP, the Guardian reports.

READ MORE HERE

Partner of Labour MP arrested on suspicion of spying for China

Dan Jarvis MP, Security Minister, gave a security update in the Commons following three arrests that took place this morning as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation.

He confirmed this relates to China and "foreign interference targeting UK democracy", but didn't comment on the live investigation.

Jarvis does say the counter-terrorism police have said that this morning officers arrested three men on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

"This government stands resolute to country foreign in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor," he continues.

China "presents a series of threats to the United Kingdom" he says, adding that they are "deeply concerned by an increasing pattern" from Chinese state actors "targeting democracy".

Commons hears Starmer 'ignored' request to deploy warship to Middle East 'weeks ago'

Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon is being sent to Cyprus to bolster security at British air base RAF Akrotiri on the Island, after it was hit by drone strikes on Monday.

Having been critisiced for his slow response to the conflict, Gavin Robinson from the DUP says the PM ignored a request two weeks ago to deploy a destroyer to the region.

Robinson says we now know the HMS Dragon won’t arrive in Cyprus for a week.

"If we are only going to get to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027 it is not enough", he said.

The Prime Minister says they worked in conjunction with the US in relation to the pre-deployments, and that the UK is increasing this to 2.6 per cent of GDP, but it will be more spending at a faster rate de to years of under investment and troop cuts.

He says the last government didn’t spend enough, adding that the Tories “hollowed this out".

Starmer slammed for 'prioritising job security over national security' as he swipes back branding Tory leader 'irrelevant'

Sir Keir Starmer is “prioritising his job security over our national security”, Kemi Badenoch told the Commons.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs Badenoch said: “The situation in Iran shows this Prime Minister has the wrong priorities.

“When it comes to defence, it’s someone else’s job. When it comes to welfare, they find the money. When our bases are attacked, they call the lawyers. When our energy security is under threat, they stop drilling in the North Sea.

“After last week’s by-election, isn’t the truth that he is - they might not like to hear it, but they are going to hear it whether they like it or not - is it not the truth that he is prioritising his job security over our national security?”

The Prime Minister replied: “I spent the week protecting British lives and our national interest.

“Moments like this define a leader of the Opposition. They can they can either step up, act in the national interest and show that they’re fit to be prime minister. Or they can expose their utter irrelevance - she has chosen the second".

Lib Dem leader asks for action to pull back rising energy bills

Ed Davey, Lib Dem leader, said "it is absolutely right" the government does everything it can to get all British citizens to safety in the Middle East, regardless of their tax paying status.

He asked if Sir Keir Starmer will give a "cast iron guarantee today" that he will take action to stop energy bills rising because of, what he calls, "Trump's illegal war" in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister says he wants to emphasise the actions he's "been taking urgently this week" on this, including work "to ensure the safe passage of energy" across the world.

"We will continue to do that", he says, and "keep a very close eye on this".

Disputes over defence spending echoes across Commons

Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised for unviable defence spending by Kemi Badenoch in today's PMQ's, to which he struck back with claims it was the Conservative government that plummeted defence spending.

Kemi Badenoch said: "Last June, our Government promised it's plan for funding our armed forces be ready by autumn. In autumn, they promised it would be ready by the end of 2025.

"It's March 2026 and still nothing, so can the Prime Minister tell the house when his defence investment plan will be published.

The Prime Minister said: "They cut defence spending and we're increasing defence spending, and we're doing that because we're stabilising the economy".

He struck back reiterating the sentiment of focus on the safety of British nationals in the region, saying "For everyone watching this PMQ, that will be the single most important question on their minds".

'Catching arrows instead of stopping the archer' - Kemi Badenoch challenges PM's stance on Middle East

The Tory leader has spoken on the Middle eastern conflict, asking Sir Keir Starmer why the RAF cannot be deployed to assist allies.

Sir Keir replied: "We've got civilians and military personnel at risk in the region, we need to act therefore with clarity, with purpose, and with a cool head.

"The protection of UK nationals is our number one priority, and we're taking action to reduce the threat with planes in the sky in the region".

He claimed he was not satisfied for the "UK to join a war".

The tory leader replied: "Iran is trying to kill our service men and women. He's catching arrows instead of stopping the archer.

"Why is he asking our allies to do what we should be doing ourselves. We are in this war whether we like it or not".

PMQ's begin as PM braces for grilling

The Prime Minister has briefed the Commons ahead of Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon, setting the stage for discussion around the Middle east conflict and yesterday's Spring Statement from Rachel Reeves.

MPs rally to press for vote on UK's offensive action in Middle East

Mr McDonnell, who was shadow chancellor under Mr Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party for five years, pressed Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday on whether MPs will get a vote on offensive action.

The Hayes and Harlington MP said: “When he Sir Keir stood for the leadership of the Labour Party, he very clearly set out that there would be a vote in this House on any decision about military action.

“Can I ask him to assure us, so that we don’t drift into this war, as we have in the past, that there will be a vote in this House?”

Responding, Sir Keir said: “On the question he raises about a vote, that is of course, a vote on offensive action, deploying our troops or military, and that is not this situation".

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Callum Miller has tabled two bills related to the conflict in the Middle East.

The United States Military and Security Operations (Oversight) Bill would confer oversight and reporting functions on the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) in relation to the use of bases or facilities located in the UK or under UK jurisdiction for military and security operations conducted by the US.

The State Actors (Proscription) Bill would would require the Government to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Corbyn launches bid to require Parliament vote on use of UK bases

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a bill that would require parliamentary approval for the use of UK military bases and equipment by other nations for armed conflict.

It comes after the Prime Minister gave permission for the US to use British military bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites to protect countries being targeted by Tehran.

The Military Action (Parliamentary Approval) (No.2) Bill would also require the withdrawal of permission to use UK bases where parliamentary approval is not granted.

The Bill, which is expected to be laid later today, is co-sponsored by Labour MPs Diane Abbott, John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Brian Leishman, Apsana Begum and Kim Johnson.

It is also co-sponsored by the new Green MP for Gorton and Denton Hannah Spencer, the Green Party’s Westminster leader Ellie Chowns, and independent MPs Ayoub Khan and Adnan Hussain.

Mr Corbyn, also an independent MP, said on X on Wednesday: “We must learn from the lessons of the past - and stop our Prime Minister from dragging Britain into another catastrophic, illegal war".

London Labour slam Reform for 'scraping the barrel' with new defected members

London Labour suggested Reform UK were “scraping the barrel” by announcing Clive Furness and Sir Robin Wales had joined the party.

A London Labour spokesperson said: “If Clive Furness and Robin Wales count as a ‘major London announcement’, Reform really are scraping the barrel.

“Neither men have been part of the Labour movement for some time. In Newham, Robin Wales was removed by local members following concerns about his record in office.

“Nigel Farage, Laila Cunningham, and their allies spend their time talking London down and attacking the success of one of the most proudly multicultural cities in the world.

“Meanwhile, Labour is focused on delivering for London - supporting 240,000 children by ending the two-child cap, cutting energy bills for 3.7 million households, expanding free school meals and breakfast clubs, and strengthening protections for 2.7 million renters".

Effectiveness of Home Secretary's move to halt study visas called into question

The Government has halted the granting of study visas to people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood accusing them of exploiting Britain’s “generosity” in offering asylum.

Some 100,625 individuals claimed asylum in the UK last year, of which only 12 per cent (12,578) originally entered on a study visa.

A breakdown of said 12 per cent by nationality is not publicly available, but the Home Office publishes regular data on the nationality of people issued with study visas.

These figures show the four countries affected by the Government’s latest decision made up just 0.7 per cent of study visas issued last year.

There were 2,084 visas granted to foreign nationals from Myanmar, 538 for Cameroon, 277 for Afghanistan and 243 for Sudan - together making up 3,142 visas out of the 429,254 study visas issued in 2025.

Instead, the most common nationalities in each of the past five years were India, China, Nigeria and Pakistan, collectively accounting for 60 per cent of study visas issued last year.

A separate breakdown of the 100,625 people claiming asylum in the UK last year shows that Afghans were the fourth most common nationality, making up 6 per cent of the total (6,462 people) - though this covers all routes into the UK, both legal and illegal, regardless of when someone first arrived in the country.

Meanwhile, Sudan accounted for a further 6 per cent of this total (5,869 people), Myanmar 1 per cent (879) and Cameroon 1 per cent (765).

'If I thought Reform was racist I wouldn't be in this room', says party's new Labour defector

Sir Robin Wales, whose defection to Reform UK was announced inside the last hour, said Reform had “a lot of rough edges”, but represented a chance to “transform our society".

He accused Labour of having abandoned its roots, and defended his new party accused by Labour of peddling divisive politics.

He said: “If I thought Reform was racist, if Clive thought Reform is racist, we wouldn’t be in this room or even near this headquarters. It’s not and I challenge anybody to show how it is".

Meanwhile, Clive Furness, the second Labour defector announced today, said there had been a “balkanisation of Britain”, with people voting on religious and racial lines, which he cited among the concerns which had led him to join Reform.

Rachel Reeves' defence budget targets will be costly, IFS warn

The Government must decide on tax hikes or big cuts to Government programmes to fund the required boost to defence spending, economists have warned.

As calls for increasing defence spending intensify amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank said meeting the Nato commitment to spend 3.5 per cent of national income on defence would cost £35 billion a year in today’s terms.

The UK currently spends 2.4 per cent of national income in this area, meaning the cost of the required rise is equivalent to current spending on the Ministry of Justice and Home Office combined.

IFS director Helen Miller said: “The takeaway is that we should not expect the Government to be able to meaningfully increase what we spend on defence - if that’s what it decides it wants to do - without significantly cutting other Government programmes or raising taxes".

She said the events in the Middle East and the market reactions represented the “big economic news” on Wednesday, rather than the Spring Statement delivered by Rachel Reeves.

She added: “If war in the Middle East drags on that will be unambiguously bad news for all of us, including for the Chancellor.

“On the economic front, higher oil and gas prices and more economic uncertainty would drag on economic growth.

"Disposable incomes would fall as inflation rises. Higher inflation would likely mean higher interest rates. We should all hope that we are not facing a protracted conflict".

Laila Cunningham welcomes new 'laser-focused' Reform members

Welcoming the two new Labour defectors, Reform UK’s London Mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham said: “Sir Robin and Clive are excellent additions to Reform UK in London.

"Two heavyweight former Labour leaders with decades of experience of delivering real results for working people in London.

“Unlike Labour, we are building a team full of expertise and experience who are laser-focused on making London work for Londoners once again.

"May is the first step to dislodging Labour and Sadiq Khan from our capital, and only Reform stands a chance of delivering that credible alternative".

Who is Sir Robin Wales - Reform's long awaited Labour defector

Sir Robin Wales became Labour’s first directly elected mayor in England in 2002, securing re-elections in 2006, 2010, and 2014.

Before that, he led Newham Council for seven years from 1995 to 2002, and received a knighthood in the 2000 Birthday Honours for his services to local government.

Clive Furness, also joining Reform UK, served in various different executive posts in the council, including community, finance, health and adult care.

During their tenure, Newham Council achieved national acclaim, ranking among the most popular councils in the UK with 80 per cent resident satisfaction in 2018.

Amid austerity, they froze council tax from 2008 to 2018, delivering the third-lowest average rate in the country.

Their record includes lifting Newham from the third-most deprived London borough to the 25th by 2015, driven by a surge in local employment.

They also spearheaded a crackdown on crime, enforcing proactive stop-and-search policies that slashed knife crime by two-thirds, and deploying 40 dedicated police officers to combat street crime and anti-social behaviour.

Ex-Labour councillor announced as Reform candidate for Newham Mayor

Clive Furness will serve Sir Robin Wales' senior advisor and stand as Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor of Newham, the party has announced.

Mr Furness said: "Labour has clearly and demonstrably failed London. It’s sad to see that even Newham, a borough that Sir Robin and I managed to lift out of deprivation, has gone completely backwards under a Labour mayor and a Labour council that is now completely out-of-touch with the communities it was meant to represent.

“That’s why I am joining Reform UK. In May the choice is clear: more of the same high crime, high tax regime with Labour, or real change with Reform".

Former Labour Mayor and council leader joins Reform UK

Sir Robin Wales, the former Labour Mayor of Newham and ex-leader of Newham London Borough Council, has been appointed as Reform UK's London Director of Local Government.

With decades of Labour Party membership, Sir Robin left the party over what he says was an abandonment of those that it was originally formed to stand for, and demonstrated an “outright disdain for working people”.

In his new role, Sir Robin is said to leverage his extensive London local government expertise to advise Reform UK-controlled councils following the May 7 elections, where the party is poised to take control of several local authorities in the capital.

Sir Robin Wales said: "After decades fighting for working people in Newham, I’ve seen Labour abandon its roots.

"Under Sadiq Khan and the Labour leadership across London, the capital has seen soaring crime, failing services, and a party that prioritises the wealthy elite over the working class it was built to represent.

“May will be a referendum on Sadiq Khan and the Labour Party. Only Reform stands for working people and is presenting a real, credible alternative plan to Labour in London".

Nigel Farage takes the stage for 'major' Reform UK announcement

The Reform UK leader has taken to the stage to deliver an update for the status of the party.

The conference is to welcome Sir Robin Wales, the former Labour Mayor of Newham and ex-leader of Newham London Borough Council, along with former Labour Newham councillor and cabinet member Clive Furness, to Reform UK.

PM to face Commons grilling amid lackluster response to Middle East conflict

Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a grilling in the Commons today over his decisions on the Middle East war after Donald Trump launched a personal attack against him.

In his latest broadside against the Prime Minister, the US President said on Tuesday he was “not happy with the UK” over the extent of its support and that “this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with”.

The Prime Minister is yet to respond personally to the President’s latest rebuke, but will face MPs for Prime Minister’s Questions at noon today, where the conflict is likely to dominate the agenda.

Downing Street has insisted the US remains a “staunch” ally despite the remarks from Mr Trump, who criticised the Prime Minister in interviews with the Telegraph and Sun newspapers.

Labour Minister rejects Trump's swipe at PM as 'no Winston Churchill'

A Labour Minister has dismissed Donald Trump’s claim that Sir Keir Starmer is "no Winston Churchill”, arguing that the Prime Minister had approached the situation with a “cool head, a real clarity of purpose” and “a determination to do the right thing for the British people”.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told Times Radio: “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with the decision that we took about joining those initial strikes on Iran over the weekend.

“But I think what’s really important when we think about that decision is to recognise that the Prime Minister took the decision he did in the national interest, and he’s approached this with a cool head, with a real clarity of purpose, with a real focus and a determination to do the right thing for the British people.

“That’s why we took the decision we did not to join those offensive actions, the initial strikes, a few days ago, but then when it came to a defensive action in order to protect British citizens, we stepped up and made sure that we are doing what we need to do to keep British people safe.

“Well, I think the president has expressed himself using his words, but what’s important for me is that the Prime Minister is taking the right decisions for the UK, and, of course, that the special relationship between the US and the UK continues. We work together with the US, day in, day out".

Government confident to 'beat the forecasts' and drive economic growth

A minister denied the Government had washed its hands of its mission to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7 and said it was confident it would be able to “beat the forecasts”.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray was asked about the ambition set out by Labour before the election, and told Sky News that the UK had seen “the fastest-growing G7 economy in Europe” last year.

It was put to him that this was different and that the Government could not change the wording and “wash your hands” of the mission, to which he replied: “That’s not what I’m doing. We stand by that - that is our commitment, we want to aim for that, but we know that change takes time - we know that things aren’t going to happen overnight.

“What the Chancellor said yesterday is that the direction of travel is right, that we have inflation down, borrowing down, debt interest payments down, investment up, business confidence up – all of those are essential conditions for growth and that’s why we are confident going into this year, and the years beyond, that we will be able to beat the forecasts".

Chancellor came with 'no clear plan', Mel Stride told GB News Breakfast

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Mel Stride claimed Rachel Reeves Spring Statement ushered 'no clear plan' for the immediate future of Britain's economy.

He claimed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will inevitably have lasting effects on the UK economy that will be "very tough to deal with".

"You'll find it a lot easier to deal with if you had a much more rapidly growing economy," he added.

Mr Stride noted the slashed growth forescasts, inflation spiking upwards, and unemployment at an unprecedented high - all of which he deemed severely problematic.

He said: "You add all of those things up and it's an economy that's not in a good position to withstand these shots.

"She needs to get on top of public spending, particularly the welfare bill, get people off benefits and into work, and then get taxes down and get the economy moving".

UK’s economic outlook seems 'bleak’, says think tank after Spring Statement

The Resolution Foundation think tank said the nation’s immediate economic future is “highly uncertain” as it revealed its response to the Chancellor’s spring statement.

Yesterday, Rachel Reeves said her fiscal plan was “more necessary than ever before in a world of uncertainty” with the Iran conflict threatening economic stability.

But the Office for Budget Responsibility indicated gross domestic product will increase by just 1.1 per cent in 2026, down from the 1.4 per cent it forecast in November.

The Resolution Foundation said that while the UK is set for a strong year of living standards growth, especially for lower-income families, the lengthier economic outlook is “bleak”.

Ruth Curtice, the organisation’s chief executive, said in a statement: “The immediate economic outlook for Britain is highly uncertain, with yesterday’s forecasts already looking out of date, while the living standards picture for the rest of the Parliament is very lopsided.

“This coming year is set to be a decent one for living standards, and a bumper one for poorer families, as wages and benefit support rise above the level of inflation.

"But a fresh energy price shock risks puncturing this good news.

“With wage growth set to tail off, the living standards picture for the rest of the Parliament is bleak.

“This should remind policy makers of the need to both navigate near-term uncertainty and support productivity-based economic growth over the medium term.

“That is the only way to meaningfully lift living standards throughout Britain".