Alleged Russian spy from Essex appears in court charged with passing on MP’s details
A 64-year-old Essex man has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with assisting Russia’s foreign intelligence service.
Howard Michael Phillips of Harlow was charged with an offence contrary to section three of the National Security Act.
Mr Phillips, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke via video link at the Old Bailey’s number three court on Friday.
He spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth.
Mr Phillips, who is unemployed, will next appear at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Oct 25.
A trial date was set for Feb 10 of next year. He will remain in custody until his next appearance in court.
Westminster magistrates’ court heard last month that Mr Phillips had been accused of passing on an MP’s personal details to Vladimir Putin’s foreign intelligence service.
‘Disclosing personal contact details’
The court heard that Mr Phillips is charged with “acquiring and retaining personal contact details of a Member of Parliament” and “disclosing personal contact details and information relating to a Member of Parliament to a foreign intelligence service”.
He is also accused of applying for jobs with the Home Office’s Border Force agency and applying for security clearance.
Mr Phillips allegedly offered to provide logistical support to a foreign intelligence service, including booking a hotel and buying a mobile phone on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, as well as setting up a mobile phone “so that it was available to be used by a foreign intelligence service”.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “On May 16, a 64-year-old man was arrested in central London. He was arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act (NSA) 2023.
“The arrest is not connected to any other recent charges or investigations linked to NSA offences, and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider public in connection with this matter.”
As part of the investigation, which was led by officers from the Met Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area.