US EditionMan accused of assisting Russia ‘planned to pass on Grant Shapps information’
UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 9 – Howard Phillips, motivated by financial gain, allegedly offered personal information about former defence secretary Grant Shapps and logistical support to undercover officers posing as Russian agents.
- Howard Phillips, a 65-year-old man from Harlow, went on trial on July 9 in Winchester, accused of planning to assist the Russian Intelligence Service in London.
- Phillips applied in October 2023 for a part-time UK Border Force job, believing this would provide access to sensitive information for alleged Russian agents named Dima and Sasha.
- He communicated with the agents by email, WhatsApp, and Signal, provided logistical support including booking hotels and transport, left a USB hidden on a bicycle in April 2024, and met with them in person on several occasions.
- During a meeting at a London Bridge hotel on April 26, Phillips expressed that his primary drive was monetary benefit and a desire to achieve financial self-sufficiency. He also disclosed that he possessed personal information about the then UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, including details such as his residence and telephone number.
- Phillips denies the charge, but prosecutors contend his actions could have had serious consequences and that he remained engaged with the agents despite his job application, highlighting a keen interest in providing assistance for easy money.
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UK man on trial accused of offering minister's information to Russian spies
A British man offered personal information about former defence minister Grant Shapps to Russian intelligence for money, prosecutors said on Wednesday at the start of his trial for a National Security Act offence.
·United Kingdom
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The Business TimesMan accused of spying 'tried to give Russians information about Tory MP'
Howard Michael Phillips, 65, is standing trial at Winchester crown court for allegedly trying to pass information to Russia’s foreign intelligence service
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Thurrock GazetteMan 'met Russian agents at Lakeside as he planned to share defence secretary details'
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Center
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
42% Center
L 33%
C 42%
R 25%
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