Man, 64, appears in court charged with assisting Russia
Howard Michael Phillips was charged with an offence contrary to section three of the National Security Act.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 64-year-old man has appeared in court charged with assisting Russia’s foreign intelligence service.
Howard Michael Phillips, of Harlow, Essex, was charged with an offence contrary to section three of the National Security Act.
Phillips, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon to confirm his address and date of birth.
Judge Daniel Sternberg denied Phillips bail and ordered him to appear at the Old Bailey on June 14.
The arrest is not connected to any other recent charges or investigations linked to NSA offences and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider public in connection with this matter
The Metropolitan Police said Phillips was arrested in central London on Thursday May 16.
A force spokesman said: “As part of the investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area. Both searches are now complete.
“The arrest is not connected to any other recent charges or investigations linked to NSA offences and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider public in connection with this matter.”
The charge was described as part of a proactive counter terrorism policing investigation into suspected offences under the National Security Act.