Howard Phillips, 65, was arrested by counter terrorism officers on May 16 last year after a series of interactions with who he believed to be Russian ‘agents’.
The ‘agents’ were in fact undercover officers.
Social media messages, emails and evidence from face-to-face meetings all including the undercover officers revealed Phillips’ “eagerness” to help the Russian Intelligence Service in return for payment.
A USB drive handed to the officers documented Phillips describing himself as someone who could “move undetected and travel anywhere at any time, no questions asked” and “avoid suspicion.”
The jury at Winchester Crown Court heard how the 65-year-old passed over personal details relating to the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence at the time.
Phillips obtained the details after meeting the minister, who was his local MP, and visiting his house.
The undercover officers were also informed by Phillips that he recently applied for a job at UK Border Force and was in the process of applying for Home Office security clearance for that role.
Following his arrest, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against Phillips and he was charged on May 23, 2024, with an offence under section 3 of the National Security Act (NSA), 2023.
After a two-week trial, he was convicted of this offence on July 22.
Det Chf Supt Helen Flanagan said: “Phillips was unemployed and his primary motivation for wanting to become a spy for the Russian Intelligence Service was financial reward.
“His conviction should act as stark warning to anyone who thinks that carrying out illegal activity on behalf of a foreign state is an attractive or easy way to earn money.
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“The reality is that we take this kind of activity extremely seriously. Those involved will be identified, investigated and, like Phillips, will face extremely serious consequences when they are convicted.
“This case is also another successful use of the National Security Act to prosecute someone who was attempting to undermine the security of the UK and we will continue to use these powers available to us to help keep the public safe.”
Phillips will be sentenced on a later date.
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