Royal Navy captain steps back from duties over link to MP whose husband faces China spy claims

Joani Reid MP reportedly swapped flirtatious messages with senior officer in charge of nuclear-armed submarine

A Royal Navy captain in charge of one of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines stepped back from his duties over his relationship with the MP Joani Reid, whose husband faces allegations of spying for China.

The married senior officer was investigated by the navy last year over his contact with Reid after the messages, described as inappropriate, prompted an assessment of a potential blackmail risk, the Financial Times first reported.