Partner of Scottish Labour MP among three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China

Key Points

Counter-terror police have arrested three men on suspicion of spying for China
One of the men is the partner of a Scottish Labour MP, STV News understands
Counter-terror officers searched properties in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, London and Cardiff
The arrests relate to foreign interference targeting UK democracy, security minister Dan Jarvis has said

The partner of a Scottish Labour MP is among three men arrested by counter-terror police on suspicion of spying for China.

The Metropolitan Police said a 39-year-old man was arrested in London, a 68-year-old man in Powys, mid-Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, South Wales.

They were seized on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section three of the National Security Act, 2023.

Scottish counter-terror officers searched a property in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Police also searched addresses in Londona and Cardiff.

The partner of a Labour MP did not have a pass to access the parliamentary estate, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked whether “the partner of the sitting Labour MP arrested” had such a pass.

Security minister Dan Jarvis replied: “He will understand I have come here at extremely short notice in order to provide an update to the House.

“I can’t get into the operational details of matters that took place just a few hours ago.”

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “Just to reassure you, the answer is ‘no’.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, we carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.”

Counter terror officers in England and Wales have also searched addresses in London and Cardiff.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We have seen a significant increase in our casework relating to national security in recent years and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it.

“Today’s arrests are part of a proactive investigation and while these are serious matters, we do not believe there to be any imminent or direct threat to the public relating to this. Our investigation continues and we thank the public for their ongoing support.”

The arrests relate to foreign interference targeting UK democracy, Dan Jarvis has told the Commons.

The security minister said: “I would like to make a statement regarding the three arrests that took place this morning as part of a counter terrorism policing investigation into suspected National Security Act offences.

“I can confirm that this relates to China. I can also confirm this relates to foreign interference targeting UK democracy. For reasons that you will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any aspect of what is now a live investigation.

“It is absolutely critical that we do not hamper the work of the police or prejudice any future legal processes by what we say in this House today.

“I would, however, point the House to what the counter terrorism police have just said in their own statement, namely, that this morning officers from counter terrorism policing arrested three men as part of an investigation into suspected National Security Act 2023 offences.

“All three men were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section three of the National Security Act. Of course, any decision as to whether to proceed with a prosecution would be a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.”