Man 'plotted to sell Shapps information to Russia'

A man accused of trying to help the Russian Intelligence Service (RIS) planned to pass on personal information about former defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps, a court heard.

Howard Phillips was "very keen" to develop a relationship with undercover officers he thought were Moscow agents, Winchester Crown Court was told.

Jurors heard the 65-year-old, from Harlow in Essex, said he had personal details about Sir Grant, including his phone number and details of his private plane.

He denies breaching the National Security Act by engaging in conduct to assist a foreign intelligence service.

It was alleged that Mr Phillips, who was unemployed at the time, carried out paid tasks for agents known as Dima and Sasha as he was "struggling financially".

"That appears to have been a very significant factor in his eagerness and desire to provide assistance to the RIS," prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC told jurors.

"The evidence shows he was very keen to offer assistance, not necessarily for any ideological reason or because he sympathised with the Russian state, but particularly to be financially rewarded for so doing…easy work for easy money."

Mr Phillips did not know the "agents" were role players, Ms Ledward said.

"He thought and understood them to be Russian agents," she continued.

"They were Russian agents with whom the defendant was very keen to develop a relationship – he was also very keen to provide assistance to them in various imaginative ways of his own devising."

Ms Ledward said there could have been "very serious consequences" if Mr Phillips succeeded with his intentions.

He told the agents on WhatsApp he was "semi-retired but with connections in high places", the court heard.

Ms Ledward said Mr Phillips met with one or both of the agents in person, including at a Costa in Lakeside shopping centre in West Thurrock, Essex.

"During this meeting, the defendant revealed… he held personal details about the then-UK secretary of state for defence, including his home address," she said.

"The defendant explained he had met Grant Shapps and had visited his house."

The court heard that at that meeting, Mr Phillips was given £500 in cash to get a phone for the agents and book them a hotel.

It was alleged he intended to assist them from the end of 2023 until last May.

Prosecutors claimed on 4 April 2024 that he left the agents a USB on a bike near St Pancras and Euston stations in London.

It allegedly contained a document by Mr Phillips claiming he would be "invaluable" to a foreign power, offering "100% loyalty and dedication".

Ms Ledward told jurors Mr Phillips was in the process of applying for a job at Border Force.

They heard he was arrested by plainclothed officers on 16 May 2024 after meeting with "Sasha" near King's Cross station.

The trial continues.

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