Labour donor suspected of spying for China 'had access to senior party figures'

David Taylor, husband of Joani Reid MP and former Labour donor (Image: Newsquest)

THE former Labour advisor who was arrested on suspicion of spying for China had access to senior ministers in the party through his role in a key fundraising group, it has emerged.

The Telegraph reports that David Taylor, who is married to Labour's East Kilbride MP Joani Reid, was a member of the Rose Network – a group of key party donors – until his arrest and subsequent suspension.

Membership in the network provides access to social gatherings, dinners and receptions with senior party officials including department heads and front-bench ministers.

The group was established – originally under the name the Thousand Club – by former prime minister Tony Blair in order to attract business figures in the City of London into backing the party. According to its website members can attend a "range of events, including presentations, discussions, receptions, and Q&A sessions”.

According to The Telegraph most members give between £1200 and £10,000 to the party each year to join the network, although there's no upper limit.

Taylor has denied wrongdoing and has been released on bail while the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit continues its investigation.

Joani Reid, Labour's MP for East Kilbride (Image: NQ)

Reid voluntarily suspended herself from the Labour party following his arrest but has denied wrongdoing and was not part of the police investigation. She was recently readmitted to the party following an internal investigation.

She wrote last week that since her husband's arrest she has "had a rough few months" in politics.

A Labour spokesman said Taylor's donations and role in the party's network followed all necessary regulations.

The spokesperson said: “All donations to the Labour Party are registered in accordance with Electoral Commission rules.

“David Taylor was immediately suspended from the Labour Party pending investigation, upon the police investigation coming to our attention. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.

“Following a process conducted under Labour Party rules, Joani Reid has been readmitted to the Labour Party and has had the Labour whip restored in the House of Commons.”