March 5 (Reuters) - Joani Reid, the Labour lawmaker for the East Kilbride area, had her party membership suspended, a day after her husband was arrested on allegations of spying, which he denies, Sky
UK lawmaker suspended from Labour Party after reports of husband's arrest on spying allegations
Labour Party Suspension and Spying Allegations
Background of the Suspension
LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - British lawmaker Joani Reid was temporarily suspended from the governing Labour Party on Thursday, a day after local media reported that her husband was one of three men arrested on allegations of spying for China.
Labour Party's Response
"Joani Reid has agreed to fully cooperate with the Labour Party's investigation into these matters," a party spokesperson said. Her membership was suspended while the investigation is carried out but she remains a lawmaker in parliament.
Details of the Spying Allegations
In the latest UK accusations of spying by Beijing, police said on Wednesday they had arrested three men on suspicion of assisting China's foreign intelligence service, and local media reported one was the husband of a sitting lawmaker.
Police Procedures and Anonymity
In keeping with usual UK police practice, none of those arrested were named.
Joani Reid's Statement
Personal Impact
"This week has been the worst of my life," Reid said in a statement, in which she described the suspension as voluntary.
Denial of Wrongdoing
"I am not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been against me. I have done nothing wrong. I love my country."
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by William James and Sam Tabahriti in London and Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Franklin Paul and Cynthia Osterman)
