MI5 SPY NET CRACKDOWN
Prosecution threats for illegals’
POWERS to help MI5 catch Russian spies such as glamorous Anna Chapman will be unveiled this week.
Planned updates to the Official Secrets Act will pave the way for deep-cover spooks such as Chapman to register in the UK or face prosecution or deportation.
The changes may also mean Russian oligarchs laundering money through London are more closely watched.
Currently MI5 cannot touch such spies, known as “illegals” working for Russia, unless they are caught in an act of espionage.
Chapman, 38, married Alex Chapman in 2001 and obtained a British passport which took her to America where she was ordered to seduce Washington power brokers.
She was one of ten sleeper agents arrested by the FBI in New York in June 2010.
They were swapped 11 days later for four Russian double agents including Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned in a 2018 assassination attempt in Salisbury, Wilts.
Back in Russia, Chapman modelled in a fashion show and d inspired TV spy series The Americans, starring Keri Russell. ssell.
The new powers rs would not affect so-called “legal” spies – those under diplomatic cover in embassies es who are known to MI5.
Legitimate foreign lobbyists and trade de envoys could continue working in the UK unhindered ndered once registered. Secret s ervice historian ori an Stephen Dorril said:
“The real problems ms are spies in deep cover who may have jobs as lawyers, accountants or journalists. They work in the day and spy at night.” Home Secretary Se Priti Patel has bee beefed up border controls so suspected spies as well a as terrorists can now be detai detained. New laws will make it easier to prosecute British ji jihadists fighting for Islamic S State.
An “act of betrayal” would b be a distinct crime punisha punishable by life which would st stop terrorists’ early release. I It would also prevent j i hadi b brides, such as Shamima Begum, escaping justice i if they choose to return to the UK.
Ms Patel Pa said: “This Governm Government has zero-tolerance for those t acting against British inte interests. We are developing legisl legislation to bring our laws up to date da and create new ones to stay ahe ahead of the threat.”
nigel.ne