British embassy worker arrested in Germany accused of spying for Russia was being monitored by MI5 - Sky News

A British embassy worker arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia was being monitored by MI5, according to Sky sources.

The British national, named as David S, was detained in Potsdam over allegations that he had been working "for a foreign secret service", the German public prosecutor said.

A statement from the German prosecutor said: "Until his arrest, David S worked as a local employee at the British Embassy in Berlin.

"On at least one occasion he forwarded documents obtained in the course of his professional activities to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.

"In return for providing information, the accused received cash in a previously unknown amount."

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Sky's Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall understands the man's alleged activities "had been known about for some time" and he was being monitored by British security services.

Analysis by Alistair Bunkall, Middle East correspondent

The first thing to note is that the arrested man was a 'local hire' at the embassy in Berlin, which means he wasn't a diplomat - his access to high-level information would have therefore been limited but not inconsequential.

Depending on his actual job, he could still provide valuable intel to Russia: information on security protocols at the embassy, details of the internal Wi-Fi network, profiles of senior diplomats and their families, and possibly even names of MI6 officers stationed in Berlin.

Even seemingly mundane information can help a foreign intelligence service build a picture of an adversary and provide the keys to access more sensitive data.

I understand that his alleged activities were known about for some time and he'd been monitored by MI5 – this wasn't a snap arrest by German authorities. It's been described to me as an "intelligence-led operation" meaning that investigators took their time gathering evidence and building a case against him.

Depending on what the man's job was, and how long he was allegedly employed as a Russian agent, this will be of some embarrassment to the British government, so I wouldn't be surprised if his role is played down.

If the allegations are proven to be true, for Russia it would be bittersweet – on the one hand they will enjoy the kudos of having recruited someone inside the British Embassy but at the same time they have lost their source and future access to whatever information he was able to provide.

The arrest is the result of a joint investigation by German and British authorities and was not a "snap arrest", according to Bunkall.

More on Germany

Investigators have searched his home and office, the prosecutor's statement said.

Germany's foreign ministry said it was taking the case "very seriously" and that spying on allied states on German soil is unacceptable.

The Metropolitan Police said the 57-year-old had been arrested "on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in 'Intelligence Agent activity' (under German law)".

The force's counter terrorism command is responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act.

David S is expected to appear at the Federal Court of Justice in Germany later.

A UK government spokesperson said: "An individual who was contracted to work for the government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation."

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2021-08-11 11:03:45Z
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