politics
Navy probed submarine commander over alleged relationship with MP Joani Reid
A Royal Navy commander was investigated last year over claims of an inappropriate relationship with MP Joani Reid; the probe found no military wrongdoing and the Ministry of Defence was satisfied after security checks, while Reid left the Labour Party following her husband’s arrest on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Apr 1st 2026 · United Kingdom
Insights
- A senior Royal Navy officer who commanded a Faslane nuclear-armed submarine was investigated last year over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with MP Joani Reid.
- The officer was not found to have broken military rules and faced no disciplinary action.
- Security checks were carried out and the Ministry of Defence was understood to be satisfied.
- The officer is no longer in charge of a submarine but remains in the Royal Navy, and that change is understood to be unrelated to the investigation.
- Joani Reid suspended herself from the Labour Party and now sits as an independent after her husband was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, and three political advisers were released on bail.
Sources
- UK submarine captain steps down after link to Chinese spy case www.ft.com
- Navy captain steps back from duties over link to MP whose husband faces China spy claims www.theguardian.com
- Navy investigated links between nuclear sub commander and MP www.bbc.com
- UK opposition calls for details after submarine captain steps down www.ft.com