Suspected Chinese spy joined Princess Beatrice on Nepal trip
A man arrested on suspicion of spying for China went to Nepal with Princess Beatrice in 2016, it has been revealed.
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David Taylor, the husband of Labour MP Joani Reid, is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service. He is one of three men arrested.
He and the Princess went on a nine-day charity trip with several others in October 2016.
The trip was organised by the Franks Family Foundation, a charity of which Beatrice is a patron. There is no suggestion that Beatrice knew anything of Taylor’s alleged activities.
The group travelled by car through Asia and saw the work of Dr Sandek Ruit, a Nepalese eye surgeon who treats patients for free. Funds for the foundation come solely from its founder, Simon Franks.
Read more: Labour MP claims 'I've never seen anything suspicious' after husband arrested in China spy probe
The picture, shared on X, formerly Twitter, was posted in 2016 with a caption that said: "Last night with team. After 9 days travelling through Nepal, India and Bhutan by car - our mission is done!"
Franks confirmed the trip to The i Paper, who first reported the connection, and said: “Princess Beatrice has worked tirelessly for the foundation for over a decade, supporting our education and public health projects in Laos, Cambodia and Nepal, to which she has travelled on many occasions for the foundation.
“On one of those trips, Princess Beatrice accompanied a team of doctors across Nepal, India and Bhutan. David Taylor, who was a policy advisor for the foundation, was also on that trip.”
He claimed Beatrice “did not know him prior and has not seen him since” and added: “During his time as a policy advisor to the foundation, I found David to be a kind, charitable and proud Brit. I am astonished by the arrest.”
Following her husband's arrest, Ms Reid has said she “voluntarily” suspended herself from the Labour whip “until internal investigations are concluded”.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Joani Reid has agreed to fully co-operate with the Labour Party’s investigation into these matters.”
Taylor has also been suspended from the party pending an investigation.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “These are incredibly serious allegations. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
Ms Reid said she would continue to serve her constituents in the normal way as an MP.
She said: “This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family.
“I want to reiterate something very important: I am not under investigation by the police and no accusations have been against me.”