AN MP whose husband is accused of spying for China was allegedly involved in “inappropriate behaviour” with two naval officers at a nuclear base.
Joani Reid left the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme last year after getting “carried away” on a visit to Faslane naval base in Scotland.
Reid reportedly behaved inappropriately with a navy officer during drinks at the nuclear base’s officers’ mess.
It is alleged that the incident led to her leaving the scheme early, The Times reports.
Reid was also reported to the parliamentary authorities over the incident after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
The MP’s husband, David Taylor, denies the allegations.
He was one of three people arrested by specialist officers on March 4, suspected of assisting the Far East state’s foreign intelligence service.
Reid was reported by a fellow MP who said they were concerned information regarding the UK’s nuclear deterrent could have ended up in China’s hands.
A senior figure reportedly said there was “no link” to the China spy case, however.
Before Taylor was arrested, Reid was also reported to the parliamentary authorities by the military.
Seperately, the captain of a British nuclear submarine stepped back from duties this week amid another investigation into an alleged relationship with Reid.
The investigation was opened last year after it was alleged the married sub captain had an inappropriate relationship with Reid.
Reid and the captain had reportedly exchanged flirty text messages with the navy taking action to prevent any risk of blackmail.
The captain stepped back this week for “personal reasons” and was not disciplined by the navy after it was concluded he had not broken any military rules.
He is understood to still be in the Royal Navy.
Further security checks were carried out in the wake of Taylor’s arrest with the Ministry of Defence saying it was satisfied there was not a security breach.
According to the Financial Times, Reid and the captain met first as young adults. Reid’s constituency is just a few miles from Faslane nuclear base.
While at Faslane on a two day visit with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, Reid and other MPs are understood to have stayed at the base and had drinks in the officers’ mess.
One MP told The Times: “She [Reid] behaved very inappropriately, and then carried on after the drinks.”
Another said that Reid was “very drunk” and had been “all over” the officer before being asked to go to bed by a female officer organising the trip.
Reid allegedly swore at the officer when she was asked to go to bed.
Her behaviour was reportedly brought to the attention of Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons speaker.
Labour whips were also made aware of the incident.
After the concerns were raised with the officials who run the scheme it was confirmed Reid had left the programme voluntarily.
A source close to Reid told The Times claims that the MP had been reported because of national security were “opportunistic hypocrisy.”
They went on to say claims that Reid had a relationship with the submariner were nonsense.
The Royal Navy 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.”
The East Kilbride and Strathaven MP’s husband was among three suspects who were arrested by counter-terrorism officers in London and Wales after being accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Steve Jones, 68, and dad-of-three Matthew Aplin, 43, were also seized by cops.
In a statement on X, Reid wrote: “This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family.
“I want to reiterate something very important: I am not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been against me. I have done nothing wrong.
“I love my country. To serve the people of East Kilbride and Strathaven as their MP and the Labour Party has been – and continues to be – the privilege of my life.
“I understand that speculation and gossip is fevered at a time like this. I do not want the circumstances that I and my family find ourselves in to be a distraction for this government, of which I am proud and in whom I believe.
“I also do not want my children – who have nothing to answer for and who deserve privacy and compassion – to find themselves subject to intrusion.
“Following discussions with the Chief Whip, I am voluntarily suspending myself from the whip this evening and will not sit as a Labour MP until internal investigations are concluded.
“I will welcome and cooperate with any questions and worries the party may have.
“I, and my team, will continue to serve my constituents in the normal way as their Member of Parliament.”
A Labour Party Spokesperson said: “Joani Reid has agreed to fully cooperate with the Labour Party’s investigation into these matters.”
