Renegade spy comes in from the cold
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.The rogue secret agent David Shayler, who has spent three years living in "political exile" in Paris, is to return to Britain to face charges of breaching the Official Secrets Act.
The rogue secret agent David Shayler, who has spent three years living in "political exile" in Paris, is to return to Britain to face charges of breaching the Official Secrets Act.
The former MI5 intelligence officer is due to arrive at Dover Port with his family and girlfriend on Monday. Police are expected to immediately arrest the fugitive.
He fled the country in 1997 after claiming MI6 was behind a plot to assassinate Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi which failed disasterously, leaving several civilians dead.
Officers are expected to immediately whisk the 34-year-old off for questioning by the Metropolitan force's Special Operations Unit.
Supporters hope Mr Shayler, who has claimed to have struck a deal with the Government over his return, could be freed on bail later in the day.
He will again put his case at a press conference in the French port of Calais tomorrow.
The former agent, from Middlesbrough, will be accompanied by his parents and two brothers as well as Miss Machon, also a former intelligence officer, and Mr Wadham on the ferry journey back to Britain.
He claims he will be arrested twice on Monday before being freed to prepare his defence under a deal struck with the Government.
Mr Shayler hopes to use European human rights laws, which will come into force here in Britain from October, to challenge any charges.
He has also reportedly threatened to stand against Prime Minister Tony Blair in his County Durham constituency of Sedgefield as a "anti-sleaze" candidate at the next election.
The avid Middlesbrough FC fan spent four months in a Paris jail as British officials attempted to extradite him for trial under the Official Secrets Act in 1998.
This was thrown out by a French court, leading the Attorney General to begin civil proceedings for damages in the High Court.
The Government suffered a second defeat last month when the High Court ruled newspapers did not have to give police documents and e-mails sent to them by Mr Shayler.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments