Labour MP Joani Reid has been suspended from the party while an internal investigation takes place after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
In a statement this evening, she said she had voluntarily suspended herself “from the whip” and will not sit as a Labour member of parliament “until internal investigations are concluded”.
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Ms Reid’s husband, David Taylor, was one of three people arrested yesterday on allegations of assisting a foreign intelligence service. He denies the allegations.
In a statement Ms Reid said: “This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family.”
She stressed she is not under investigation herself and said she has “done nothing wrong”.
But she added: “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.
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“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 and will not sit as a Labour MP until internal investigations are concluded. I will welcome and co-operate 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.”
It is understood that Taylor has also had his Labour Party membership suspended.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Joani Reid has agreed to fully co-operate with the Labour Party’s investigation into these matters.”
On the allegations against Taylor they said: “These are incredibly serious allegations. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
