Did a Russian spy visit No10?
AN interpreter who was at Downing Street meetings attended by the Prime Minister has been arrested on suspicion of being a Russian spy.
Senior Ukrainian government interpreter Stanislav Yezhov was held by security officials in his country for acting ‘in the interests’ of an ‘aggressor’.
It is claimed he spied for the Russians for more than two years during which he worked for Ukraine’s prime minister Volodymyr Groysman and his cabinet.
Mr Yezhov, who has a Russian wife, was allegedly recruited by Kremlin intelligence agencies while working in America.
He would have had regular access to insider information and attended high-profile meetings in London and Washington. He was at No 10 when Mr Groysman met Theresa May in July.
The two leaders discussed Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the capability of the Ukrainian armed forces and sanctions against Russia. Last night it was not clear what information – if any – Mr Yezhov gathered during the talks.
Speaking on a visit to Poland, Mrs May said she was aware of the claims.
Ukraine’s security service said Mr Yezhov acted on Russian orders to collect information ‘about the activities of government structures’, using ‘special equipment’. If he is found guilty of spying, he could be jailed for 1 to 15 years.