BAE worker accused of top-secret defence leak

A FORMER BAE Systems worker has been accused of leaking top-secret military information after a year-long counter-terrorism probe.

Simon Finch, 49, of Swansea, appeared in court yesterday charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Finch, now unemployed, is alleged to have sent the sensitive details to several foreign entities.

The charges followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.

It is said that on Oct 28 2018, having been a government contractor, Mr Finch allegedly unlawfully disclosed highly sensitive information relating to UK defence without lawful authority to do so.

The prosecution say that the disclosures risked incalculable harm.

The trigger for the alleged disclosure was a grievance said to be held against Merseyside Police.

A section 4(2) Contempt of Court Act order was made to prevent the press disclosing Mr Finch’s address and image.

Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot, sitting at Westminster magistrates’ court, said: “Putting out the image and precise address could pose a risk to the defendant and to national security.”

Mr Finch is also accused of breaching the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act for failing to hand over passwords to police.

During the course of the investigation, police seized electronic devices from the defendant’s home. He refused to provide the access codes for three of the devices, despite an order from a judge that he do so.

Mr Finch did not enter a plea to the charges, but Peter Tarr, representing Mr Finch, told the court: “He denies the offence for the time being. He does not want to go into detail. It is a blanket denial.”

Mr Finch will next appear at the Old Bailey on Nov 6. He was remanded on bail.

Wearing a baggy black suit, yellow shirt and yellow and black patterned tie, Mr Finch sat silently in the dock during the hearing.

He only spoke to state his name and date of birth and to say he understood his bail conditions.