The captain of a Royal Navy nuclear-armed submarine has stepped back from his role, according to major media reports. This follows a Navy investigation into his relationship with Labour MP Joani Reid, which was launched last year over allegations of an inappropriate relationship, according to major media. The investigation examined flirtatious messages exchanged between the officer and the MP, reports citing sources indicate.
The officer and MP first met as young adults, and there was no physical relationship between them, according to claims. They have not been in contact for more than six months, according to claims. The specific evidence or allegations that prompted the Navy probe remain unclear.
This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family.
Security concerns were heightened following the arrest earlier this month of Joani Reid's husband, David Taylor, by counter-terrorism police on suspicion of spying for China, according to multiple reports. Additional security checks were carried out by the Ministry of Defence in response to this arrest, according to major media. The Ministry of Defence is satisfied with these checks and remains confident that no breach of security occurred, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The exact details of these security checks and their findings have not been disclosed. Joani Reid, who has been the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven since 2024 according to multiple reports, has responded politically to the situation. She voluntarily suspended herself from the Labour whip until internal investigations are concluded, according to multiple reports.
I want to reiterate something very important: I am not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been against me. I have done nothing wrong.
She is not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been made against her, according to claims. She will cooperate with the Labour Party's investigation, according to claims. The broader context involves a counter-terrorism investigation in which David Taylor was one of three men arrested by counter-terrorism police, according to multiple reports.
Taylor is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, which he denies, according to major media. Regarding the captain's departure, he decided to step back for personal reasons this week after the Financial Times contacted the MoD about the matter, according to major media. The captain did not face any disciplinary action and has not broken any military rules, according to major media.
I love my country. To serve the people of East Kilbride and Strathaven as their MP and the Labour Party has been - and continues to be - the privilege of my life.
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.
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 this evening and will not sit as a Labour MP until internal investigations are concluded. I will welcome and cooperate 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.