after three men were arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Earlier, the Metropolitan Police said men, aged 39, 43 and 68, had been arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act. There is no "imminent or direct threat to the public", the Met added, and all three suspects are being held in custody. Reid, who represents East Kilbride and Strathaven, said she is "not part of" her husband David Taylor's business activities.

She added: "Neither I nor my children are part of this investigation, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are. Above all I expect media organisations to respect my children's privacy." Reid added that she had never been to China nor had she ever spoken on any China-related matters in the House of Commons.

"I have never asked a question on China-related matters. As far as I am aware I have never met any Chinese businesses whilst I have been an MP, any Chinese diplomats or government employees, nor raised any concern with ministers or anyone else on behalf of, even coincidentally, Chinese interests. "I am a social democrat who believes in freedom of expression, free trade unions and free elections. I am not any sort of admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist party's dictatorship." The Met Police said a 39-year-old man was arrested in London; while a 68-year-old man was arrested in Powys, Wales and a 43-year-old man was arrested in Pontyclun, Wales. The men have been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act, which was introduced in 2023 to target suspects accused of working against UK interests. All three have been detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and remain in police custody, the Met added. (BBC)