Labour MP Joani Reid has separated from her husband, David Taylor, who faces allegations of spying for China. The news comes as photos show Reid attending public events without her wedding ring. Taylor was arrested in March on suspicion of espionage.
Sources close to the couple indicate that the separation occurred some time ago and is not linked to the ongoing espionage investigation or separate allegations made against the MP earlier this year. These prior claims involved alleged inappropriate behavior with two naval officers at the Faslane nuclear military base. Reid had denied wrongdoing in relation to those allegations, characterizing them as a political smear.
Reid, who represents East Kilbride and Strathaven, suspended herself from the Labour Party following her husband's arrest in March. She was readmitted to the party on June 30. Images posted on social media around this time show Reid no longer wearing her wedding ring. For instance, on June 29, she was pictured wearing the ring while hosting an event, but subsequent appearances in July and August, including a video posted on August 26, show her without it.
Taylor, 39, was arrested along with two other individuals with Labour Party connections as part of a counter-terror police probe. Searches were conducted at properties in East Kilbride, London, and Cardiff. The men were subsequently released on bail and have not been charged.
Separately, a Royal Navy submarine captain stepped back from his role in April amid an investigation into an alleged relationship with Reid. The Navy launched a probe into claims that the married officer had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with the MP. While reports suggested flirtatious messages were exchanged, the MP denied this. An investigation by the Royal Navy reportedly found the officer had not breached any rules, and the Ministry of Defence was confident there was no security breach. The captain stated he stepped down for personal reasons and remains in the Royal Navy.
Reid is also reportedly in a new relationship with a married man, described as a 'high profile Holyrood figure'. The pair have been photographed together near her constituency flat. Friends claim this relationship began after her separation from Taylor and has not been ongoing for an extended period.
Reid, the granddaughter of the late trade unionist Jimmy Reid, has declined to comment on the recent developments.