The partner of a sitting Labour MP and the partner of a former Labour MP are among the three men arrested by counter terror police on suspicion of spying for China. A 39-year-old in London, 68-year-old in Powys & 43-year-old in Pontyclun are in custody. The Met is not naming them. Labour in the spotlight…
UPDATE: Security Minister Dan Jarvis says the three arrests this morning relate to suspected Chinese foreign interference relating to British democracy. Adds if criminal activity is proven “we will impose severe consequences and hold all involved actors to account.”
UPDATE II: David Taylor, husband of Labour MP Joani Reid has been arrested. Reid said: “I am not part of my husband’s business activities. 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.”
UPDATE III: Second man to be named is Matthew Aplin, lobbyist with connections to Welsh Labour.
Lucy Powell on LBC, asked by Tom Swarbrick for her reaction to Labour MP Samantha Niblett’s call for a ‘summer of sex’ debate in Parliament: “I personally don’t own any sex toys, but each to their own… I’m not really sure that’s the right place for it, no.”