Suspect ‘did not have access to highly classified material’
according to a report in Germany’s Focus magazine, they relate to counterterror operations.
A security source said that Mr Smith’s alleged motivation was probably money, adding that he did not have access to highly classified material. Security experts, however, said he was likely to have had access to security patrol schedules, and knowledge of how to arm and disarm alarm systems as well as lists of embassy staff.
Last night, neighbours told the Bild newspaper that they saw little of him. They said he used to live with a woman, but she had not been seen recently.
German officials suggested that Mr Smith would probably face trial in Germany rather than being extradited to the UK. However, British detectives are understood to have flown to Berlin to assist the investigation.
The German prosecutor said: “Until his arrest, David S worked as a local employee at the British embassy in Berlin. On at least one occasion he forwarded documents obtained in the course of his professional activities to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.
“In return for providing information, the accused received cash in a previously unknown amount.”
The British embassy in Berlin is notable for the large number of private contractors who work in the building. CBRE, a company that provides facilities management, said Mr Smith was not a member of its staff, while Securitas, which provides general security at the embassy, did not respond to requests for comment.
Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said the suspect appeared to be “relatively low down” in rank. He told BBC Radio 4’s PM: “We are not talking about some sort of Kim Philby-type story.”
The Russian embassy declined to comment.
Heiko Maas, the German foreign minister, said: “We take the information that the detained person’s intelligence activity was carried out on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency extremely seriously. Spying on a close ally on German soil is absolutely unacceptable.”