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Three men have been granted bail following their arrest on allegations of spying for China, according to the Metropolitan Police. The individuals involved are David Taylor, aged 39 and husband of Joani Reid, the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, along with Matthew Aplin, 43, and Steve Jones, 68. All three face accusations of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Among those detained, Jones is noted as a former special adviser for the Welsh Government, while Aplin previously worked as a Labour press officer. The arrests were carried out on Wednesday by counter-terrorism officers at locations across London and Wales. Taylor, who has a background as an adviser to Welsh Labour politicians and was a Labour candidate for the North Wales police and crime commissioner role, was arrested in London. Aplin was taken into custody in Pontyclun, south Wales, and Jones in Powys, mid-Wales. Searches were conducted at their residences as well as additional properties in London, East Kilbride, and Cardiff.
All three men are charged under section three of the National Security Act 2023, a law implemented to address concerns around individuals working against UK interests by aiding foreign intelligence. They remain on bail with investigations continuing, supported by counter-terror policing teams in both Wales and Scotland. Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that there is no “imminent or direct threat” identified in relation to these arrests.
The case has prompted a cautionary message from parliamentary authorities. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle sent an email to parliamentary staff emphasizing that the threat of Chinese espionage remains significant. He urged vigilance and adherence to existing guidance on spotting and reporting foreign interference within Parliament. Sir Lindsay also highlighted that foreign agents still use traditional methods such as relationship-building to obtain sensitive information, and that protecting electronic communications is crucial. He described parliamentary staff as “a critical part of our defence against foreign state activity.” Additionally, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and stressed the importance of not obstructing police work or prejudicing the legal process.
The arrests coincide with broader political developments, occurring just weeks after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing amid efforts to cautiously restore economic relations between the UK and China. In the Commons, Security Minister Dan Jarvis framed the arrests as part of tackling “foreign interference targeting UK democracy.” Meanwhile, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart warned that failure to confront such threats risks continued disrespect toward the UK.
Amid the unfolding investigation, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar indicated that decisions regarding whether Joani Reid should step away from her party role or parliamentary committee duties are under review. Reid, who became MP in 2024, has denied any involvement in China-related activities and stated she has never visited China or spoken on China-related issues in Parliament. She also clarified that neither she nor her children are implicated in the investigation, calling for media to respect their privacy
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