Labour MP Received Donation from Husband's Firm Amid China Spying Probe

Joani Reid, the Labour MP who resigned the whip last week after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China, previously received a £2,400 donation from his company the month before, it has emerged.

Reid, who said she had no involvement in her husband David Taylor's business activities, declared the donation in February for media training from Earthcott Ltd, the lobbying company he runs.

The revelation comes as anti-terror police continue to investigate the suspected espionage case, which has cast a spotlight on the potential national security risks posed by foreign influence operations targeting British officials and their families.

In her statement last week, Reid claimed she was unaware of her husband's alleged activities and insisted she played no part in his business dealings. However, the donation from his firm just weeks before his arrest has raised further questions about the extent of her knowledge and involvement.

Earthcott Ltd, which bills itself as a strategic communications consultancy, has previously worked with Chinese state-owned enterprises, fueling concerns that the firm may have been used as a conduit for Beijing's spy recruiters.

The case has shone a light on the potential vulnerabilities of lawmakers and their families to foreign interference, with security experts warning that spies often target relatives to gain leverage over officials. China in particular has been accused of aggressively pursuing such influence operations in the UK and other Western democracies.

As the investigation continues, Reid faces growing pressure to provide more details about her knowledge and role, if any, in her husband's alleged activities. The political fallout could have significant implications for her parliamentary career and the wider trust in government.