Latest news with #GrantShapps
Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Times
Tesla poised to switch on full self-driving system in the UK
Tesla is putting its troubles behind it by pushing ahead with the first full UK trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which allows the electric car to operate independently of its driver. A three-minute video of the test shows the Tesla Model 3 threading its way through traffic, avoiding other cars, cyclists and roadworks. A driver is seen present in the car but did not intervene during the 20-minute test as the Tesla navigated through central London at afternoon rush hour, starting south of the Thames and crossing Westminster Bridge, passing Parliament Square and Downing Street and landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Nelson's Column. • Read more expert reviews, news and insights on cars and motoring Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. Tesla has faced criticism for the fact that it has been selling the £6,800 FSD package in Britain as an option on its Model 3, and more recently Model Y, for at least six years, even though drivers cannot use it. The company blames 'regulatory issues' and says the technology is ready. One of the first to buy the package was Grant Shapps, the former transport secretary, who paid £5,800 for Full Self-Driving in 2019 but can't switch it on. Tesla says it hopes it to get approval for drivers to turn on the system within the coming months and certainly by 2026, when its £39,990 Model 3 and £44,990 Model Y fitted with Full Self-Drive will be able to self-steer and park and autonomously slow down, speed up and switch lanes. European Union countries will permit FSD to be used by the end of this year, the company predicts. • I tried the new self-driving Tesla — it was utterly terrifying The system uses eight cameras, including two forward-facing, two on each side, one at the rear and one inside the car to make sure the driver is paying attention. In the United States, where the FSD package can legally be used, accidents have been blamed on Tesla drivers allowing the car to go beyond its capabilities while they are distracted by another task. Some have filmed themselves sitting in the back seat and reading. Tesla's Full Self Driving is a level 2 on the car industry's six-point scale for autonomous vehicles, three points below full autonomy. Waymo, the operator of robot taxis in the US, uses a level 4 system that can operate without a driver on standby. Elon Musk told investors earlier this year that his company's autonomous systems would revolutionise transport. 'Once it does start to move… it will really go exponentially from there,' he said, predicting that Tesla would have 'a 99 per cent market share'.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Dad faces jail after handing sensitive information on ex-Tory MP to men he thought were Russian agents
A DAD of four who 'dreamed of being like James Bond' faces jail after being convicted of offering to spy for Russia. Scheming Howard Phillips, 65, gave personal details on then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to two undercover British officers. 3 3 3 The former insolvency worker, whose ex-wife told of his 007 fixation, was struggling financially after retiring. A court heard he thought it would be 'easy work for easy money' to provide agents 'Dima' and 'Sasha' with a USB stick containing personal details about his local MP. The authorities had launched an investigation after Phillips, who had applied to join the UK Border Force, made contact with Russia's embassy. He became 'deeply involved' with the undercover men, who spoke to him in fake Russian accents, promising '100 per cent loyalty' with 'no questions asked'. He offered details on Mr Shapps, who he had met at a synagogue, and was nicked after handing the USB stick to 'Sasha' for £1,000 in April 2024. Phillips, of Harlow, Essex — who claimed his aim was to 'expose' a Russian agent — was convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service at Winchester crown court. Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court that it is possible Shapps will provide a victim impact statement which would be read out at Phillips's sentencing. Phillips shook his head just before being led down to the cells, and appeared to mouth the words 'can't believe it'. He will be sentenced later.
CTV News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
U.K. jury finds man who dreamed of being James Bond guilty of attempting to spy for Russia
The unanimous verdict came after four hours of deliberations. LONDON — A British man who dreamed of being like James Bond was convicted on Tuesday of attempting to spy for Russia. Howard Phillips, 65, sought to pass information about former Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to two men he believed were Russian agents. However, the agents were undercover British intelligence agents. A jury at Winchester Crown Court found Phillips guilty of assisting what he believed to be a foreign intelligence agency. The unanimous verdict came after four hours of deliberations. He was remanded into custody and will be sentenced in the fall. No precise date was set. Prosecutors said Phillips offered to turn over Shapps' contact details as well as the location where he kept his private plane to 'facilitate the Russians in listening on British defense plans.' The defendant's ex-wife told the court that Phillips 'would dream about being like James Bond,' and watched films about the British secret services because he was 'infatuated with it.' Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's counterterrorism division, said the conviction sends a clear message to anyone considering spying for Russia. 'Phillips was brazen in his pursuit for financial gain, and unbothered about the potential detriment to his own country,' David said. The Associated Press
Times
22-07-2025
- Times
James Bond fanatic guilty of trying to spy for Russia
A former City worker obsessed with James Bond is facing jail after he was found guilty of volunteering to spy for the Russians when he ran out of money in retirement. Howard Phillips, 65, handed over the home address and phone number for Grant Shapps, his local MP and the defence secretary at the time, in an effort to sort out his money worries. However, Phillips, from Harlow, Essex, offered to provide logistical support for Kremlin spies across the world to two undercover officers. Jocelyn Ledward KC, for the prosecution, said Phillips, a retired insolvency practitioner, was 'struggling financially' and seeking 'interesting and exciting work for easy money'. After going into semi-retirement in 2018 and with money running out he began writing letters to famous people in an attempt to arrange meetings that might lead to work.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
James Bond fanatic shared Grant Shapp's details to fake Russian spies
A British man who loved James Bond films has been found guilty of trying to spy for what he believed to be Russian intelligence service agents. Howard Phillips, 65, from Harlow, Essex, intended to help two apparent Russian agents called 'Sasha' and 'Dima', including by passing on personal information about former defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps, helping with travel logistics and booking hotels. But 'Dima' and 'Sasha' were in fact undercover British intelligence officers, Winchester Crown Court previously heard. A jury found Phillips guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act on Tuesday, following a trial at the same court. The jury reached a unanimous verdict after four hours and four minutes of deliberations. Phillips, wearing a dark suit and tie, silently shook his head in the dock as the verdict was given. Prosecutors said Phillips intended to assist Russian agents from the end of 2023 until May last year. Phillips offered to pass on Sir Grant's contact details as well as the location where he kept his private plane in order to 'facilitate the Russians in listening on British defence plans', the trial heard. He was heard telling the men he wanted to work for Russia in exchange for financial independence from the UK. The defendant's ex-wife, Amanda Phillips, told the court during the trial that he 'would dream about being like James Bond', and that he watched films to do with MI5 and MI6 as he was 'infatuated with it'. Mrs Phillips told the court she was aware the defendant had applied for a job at the UK Border Force in October 2023, which prosecutors said was part of his bid to assist Russia's intelligence service. Phillips previously claimed he had contacted the Russian embassy in early 2024 in a bid to track and expose Russian agents to assist Israel. He told jurors he ascertained 'from the onset' that 'Dima' and 'Shasha' were 'definitely not Russian' and were undercover individuals, but that he carried on 'playing a role' around these agents in order to 'test the waters'. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb remanded Phillips in custody and adjourned sentencing to the 'earliest available date' in the autumn. The judge said she wanted a full pre-sentence report on the defendant ahead of sentencing as the conviction was for a 'relatively new' offence. Addressing the jurors, she said: 'Thank you very much for the important work that you have done on this very important case. 'We are trying, as a system, to get to the right answers in these situations.' Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's counter terrorism division, said: 'This conviction sends a clear message to anyone considering spying for or assisting Russia. 'Howard Phillips clearly outlined the services he was willing to provide for a hostile state. From gaining employment within the civil service and applying for security clearance, to providing the personal details of the Secretary of State for Defence – Phillips was brazen in his pursuit for financial gain and unbothered about the potential detriment to his own country. 'It is a criminal offence to assist a foreign intelligence service, regardless of your motive or whether or not you succeed. 'We will always seek to prosecute anyone who poses a threat to the UK.'
