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A 65-year-old British man has become one of the first individuals to be convicted under the National Security Act 2023, after he attempted to offer support to the Russian Intelligence Service.
Howard Phillips, from Harlow, Essex, was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court following a two-week trial led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Phillips was arrested in central London on 16 May 2024, where he had travelled for a meeting he believed was with Russian agents. In reality, those individuals were undercover officers.
Attempted Espionage Plot Uncovered
Investigators revealed that Phillips had offered:
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Personal information about a former UK Cabinet Minister – the Secretary of State for Defence at the time.
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Logistical support and insider insight into government operations.
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A plan to evade suspicion and operate undetected, using encrypted USB devices.
He also told the undercover officers that he had applied for a UK Border Force position and was seeking Home Office security clearance, positioning himself as a potential long-term asset.
CPS and Police Response
Phillips was charged under Section 3 of the National Security Act on 23 May 2024. After hearing compelling evidence from covert operations and examining digital material, the jury returned a guilty verdict on 22 July 2025.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
Police Statement
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, Head of Operations at the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:
“Phillips was unemployed and driven by money. This conviction should serve as a warning to those tempted by illegal activities on behalf of foreign states.
We take such threats extremely seriously, and offenders will be brought to justice.”
She added:
“This is another successful use of the new National Security Act to hold individuals accountable for attempting to undermine the UK’s security. We will continue to use these powers to protect the public.”
National Security Act 2023 – A Powerful New Tool
The National Security Act, which came into force in 2023, introduced sweeping reforms aimed at countering hostile state activity, espionage, and foreign interference. Phillips’ conviction adds to a growing number of high-profile cases prosecuted using the legislation.
