
Pictured: Alleged Russian spy ‘conceals USB with Shapps's details'
Photographs allegedly show Howard Phillips delivering a secretive message for his 'Russian handlers'.
Mr Phillips, 65, is on trial accused of trying to spy for the Kremlin by leaking the former defence secretary's personal information, including the location of his private plane.
Prosecutors alleged he wanted to 'offer services' to Russian intelligence but the two handlers he corresponded with were British undercover security services agents.
Images shown to Winchester Crown Court allegedly show him following his handlers' instructions by dropping off a message inside a USB stick within the exposed seat shaft of a bike.
Other images show Mr Phillips, a former insolvency worker, being arrested at a Black Sheep Coffee shop in London.
Some images show a phone and hotel rooms he allegedly bought on behalf of the 'Russian agents'.
A court has heard that the father of four, who was set to start a job with UK Border Force, later handed the 'agents' a bag containing a USB stick with Sir Grant's details on.
The details allegedly included his home address, phone number and the location of his private plane.
Mr Phillips, from Harlow, Essex, denies engaging in conduct to assist a foreign intelligence service.
Prosecutors say Mr Phillips boasted he could get government clearance due to his new job at Border Force.
He said he wanted the 'agents' and him to be a 'family', and said they could all 'help each other' and 'look after each other', the court heard.
He allegedly claimed to have been to Sir Grant's home and had met him several times.
Inside the USB stick he allegedly dropped into the bike was a note that promised '100 per cent loyalty' to the Russian Intelligence Service [RIS] and boasted of how he could move 'under the radar' thanks to a valid government security vetting pass.
The trial previously heard that Mr Phillips had applied for a job with the UK Border Force in October 2023.
He was unemployed and 'struggling financially' at the time, and Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, said this was a significant factor in his 'eagerness and desire' to provide assistance to the RIS.
Communication between Mr Phillips and the 'Russian spies' began in March 2024, initially via email and then by WhatsApp and later on Signal.
Sir Grant served as defence secretary during the Russian war on Ukraine and would have had important communications with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. He lost his seat in last year's general election. The trial continues.

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