UK Man Convicted of Spying Attempt for Russia Over Defense Secretary Data

Howard Phillips, a 65-year-old British man from Essex who was infatuated with James Bond and British intelligence films, was convicted of attempting to spy for what he believed were Russian intelligence agents but were actually undercover British officers. He sought to pass sensitive information about former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, including his contact details and the location of his private plane, to aid Russian intelligence efforts. Phillips, motivated by financial difficulties after semi-retirement, also offered logistical support and had even applied for a UK Border Force position as part of his bid to assist Russian intelligence. Despite recognizing early on that his contacts were not genuine Russian agents, he continued to engage with them to test their intentions. Prosecutors emphasized that Phillips was brazen in his pursuit of financial gain, disregarding the potential harm to his country, while his ex-wife described his obsession with espionage and famous personalities as part of his motivations. He was remanded into custody and will be sentenced later in the year.