Labour MP in row over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ with two different navy officers
A Labour MP whose husband has been accused of spying for China is herself at the centre of two rows over alleged inappropriate behaviour with naval officers.
Joani Reid, the MP for East Kilbridge and Strathaven, is reported to have acted inappropriately with a senior officer during a trip to Faslane naval base on the west coast of Scotland, according to the Times.
The newspaper said the incident led to Reid prematurely leaving the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which gives MPs and peers an opportunity to experience military life first-hand.
Separately, the Financial Times reported that the captain of a British nuclear-armed submarine has stepped back from his role after he was investigated over his relationship with Reid.
Citing people familiar with the case, the FT said it centred on ‘flirtatious messages’, with action taken to mitigate any risk of blackmail.
A person close to Reid said the MP rejects the description of the messages as flirtatious, the newspaper said. It was later concluded that the submarine captain had not broken any military rules and was not disciplined.
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Reid’s husband David Taylor was arrested on March 4 under the National Security Act on suspicion of spying for China.
He was released on bail the following day, along with two other political advisors who were arrested over the same alleged crime on the same day.
Reacting to the news of his arrest, Reid said she had ‘never seen anything’ to make her suspect Taylor had broken any law.
She added: ‘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.’
According to the Times, an MP reported Reid to the parliamentary authorities over the alleged incident in Faslane following the news of her husband’s arrest.
The MP told the newspaper they had acted out of concern that details about the UK’s nuclear deterrent could end up in the wrong hands.
A ‘senior figure’ is quoted as saying they were satisfied there was ‘no link’ to the China spy case.
Reid has had no contact with the submarine captain since September and there was no physical relationship between them, the Financial Times said.
A Royal Navy spokesperson told the FT: ‘The security of the nuclear deterrent is our highest priority, and we have robust processes in place to protect the security of our people and capabilities. We will not comment on individual cases.’
Metro has contacted Reid’s office for comment.
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