British ‘spy’ tried to pass ‘sensitive information’ on MP to Russia’s intelligence services in return for ‘a quick payday’, court hears

An alleged spy appeared in court today after being accused of trying to disclose information about an MP to Russian intelligence services.

Howard Phillips, 65, from Essex, held ‘sensitive information’ about the politician which he tried to pass on spymasters, it is claimed.

Phillips, of Harlow, Essex, appeared at the Old Bailey today via video-link from Wormwood Scrubs and spoke to confirm his name.

He is due to enter his pleas at the Old Bailey on October 25 while his trial was fixed for February 10 at Winchester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Mark Luckett earlier said Phillips made contact with someone ‘who he believed were foreign powers.’

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben at sunset, London, UK

Mr Luckett said: ‘He boasted at his ability, because of his character, that he was an individual who would be able to remain totally hidden, completely secret on the inside, able to move inside society.

‘One of the significant motivations the prosecution say as to why Mr Phillips engaged in this contact was because he was motivated by financial gain.

‘The prosecution say that is a motivation that is still ongoing.

‘This was all about financial gain for him he wanted a quick payday in order to provide logistics and sensitive information to a foreign state.’

The prosecutor said Phillips held ‘sensitive information in regards to an MP’ which was disclosed to a foreign intelligence service.

The MP has not been identified.

He is said to have ‘applied for employment within the Home Office at the Border Force Agency and applied for security clearance.’

Phillips, is also said to have offered to provide support to a foreign intelligence service, booked a hotel on behalf of a foreign intelligence service and purchased a mobile phone to be used by a foreign intelligence service.

Phillips was arrested in central London on May 16. 

At the time, a spokesman for the Met said: ‘As part of the investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area. Both searches are now complete.

‘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.’

The charge was described as part of a proactive counter terrorism policing investigation into suspected offences under the National Security Act.

The Act was brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states within the UK.