Labour MP Joani Reid was involved in an alleged 'drunken incident' at the Faslane naval base in Scotland, home to the United Kingdom's nuclear submarines, during her time on the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) last year.
The said inappropriate behaviour also involved a senior naval officer. At the same time, her husband, David Taylor, faces arrest on suspicion of spying for China, which he denies.
Reid left the AFPS prematurely following the incident at Faslane. According to sources cited by The Times, her behaviour during a visit with other MPs included excessive drinking and unwanted attention towards a senior officer. One witness told The Times that she was 'extremely drunk' and 'all over' the officer, while a female organiser asked her to go to bed, only to be sworn at by Reid.
The situation was reported both to parliamentary authorities and the military at the time.
One MP said they reported the incident out of concern that Britain's sensitive nuclear deterrent might be compromised, though officials later stated there was no connection between Reid's conduct and the ongoing investigation into her husband.
The AFPS confirmed that Reid left the programme of her own accord, while Labour whips were also briefed on the matter.
Reid's Involvement With the Officer
For context, the AFPS is designed to give MPs experience with the armed forces, often involving overnight stays at military installations.
Reid, whose constituency is around 50 kilometres from Faslane, reportedly first met the officer years ago. Sources reported that previous interactions included flirtatious messages, but the officer had not broken military rules and was not disciplined. Nevertheless, he stepped back from his role this week for 'personal reasons'.
Multiple security checks were conducted following Taylor's arrest, with the Ministry of Defence reportedly satisfied there was no breach. Sources close to Reid criticised the framing of the incident, describing claims that national security was at risk as 'opportunistic hypocrisy' given the nearly year-long gap between the events and the formal report.
They added that other MPs had also been drinking heavily, suggesting Reid was singled out.
Reid's spokesperson declined to comment, while the Royal Navy reaffirmed that 'the security of the nuclear deterrent is our highest priority' and that robust safeguards are in place.
The MP, elected to represent East Kilbride & Strathaven, resigned the Labour whip last month following her husband's arrest. She stated that she had no reason to suspect Taylor had broken any laws and emphasised that she had never visited China or spoken on related matters in Parliament.
David Taylor's China Probe
Reid's Husband, David Taylor, was arrested after intelligence and security agencies identified potential risks linked to his activities, although the details of the alleged offences have not been publicly confirmed. The investigation is part of the UK government's efforts to protect national security, especially regarding sensitive defence information and the country's nuclear deterrent.
Authorities are worried that people connected to MPs might accidentally get access to secret or sensitive information. In David Taylor's case, his close relationship with Joani Reid—who has visited military sites through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme—made security officials pay extra attention.
Even though Reid is not accused of any wrongdoing, officials were concerned that casual or social interactions could unintentionally reveal important information.
The UK government takes any possible risk to its nuclear programme and intelligence very seriously. Taylor's arrest shows how the state acts cautiously, investigating potential threats before they could cause harm, even if there is no public evidence yet. Sources stress that there is no proven connection between Reid's behaviour at Faslane and her husband's alleged actions, but strict security rules require careful investigation.
