A 64, year old man has been charged with spying for Russia on Thursday with an offence contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act.
Howard Michael Phillips from Harlow was charged for assisting Russian intelligence service, he will remain in custody at a police station and is to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.
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.
“A warrant of further detention was obtained at Westminster magistrates’ court meaning he could be detained up until May 23 and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the CPS authorised the charge as above.
“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.”
