This is the incident where a man, suspected of being a Russian spy, was caught leaving a USB drive—purportedly containing confidential information about Grant Shapps—underneath a bicycle seat.
A court has been shown photographs that allegedly see Howard Phillips, 65, deliver a secretive message for his “Russian handlers”.
Mr Phillips is presently facing trial, charged with attempting to spy for Russia by disclosing Shapps’ private information, such as the whereabouts of his personal aircraft.
Images presented to Winchester Crown Court reportedly depict him adhering to his handlers’ directives by depositing a message within a USB drive in the bike’s open seat post.
Prosecutors alleged that Mr Phillips wanted to “offer services” to Russian intelligence but unknowingly was corresponding with undercover British security service agents – whom he believed to be from the Kremlin.
Another image shows the alleged spy, and previous insolvency worker, being arrested at a Black Sheep Coffee outlet in London.
Other pictures display a phone and hotel rooms he allegedly bought on behalf of the Russian “agents”.
The court heard how the dad of four – who was due to start a job with UK Border Force – handed the operatives a bag containing a USB stick with Shapps’ personal details.
These included his home address, phone number, and the location of his private plane.
Mr Phillips, from Harlow, Essex, denies engaging in conduct to assist a foreign intelligence service.
Prosecutors argue that the former insolvency worker boasted he could get government clearance, as a result of his new job with Border Force.
The court heard how Mr Phillips said he wanted the “agents” and him to be like “family”, adding they could all “help and look after each other”.
He also allegedly claimed to have been in Shapps’ home and had met him several times.
In one meeting with the “agents”, Mr Phillips said: “I have something. I don’t know if you want it or don’t want it.
“What do you know about the Secretary of Defence in the UK? Because, I have personal information which may be useful.”
Jurors were shown a letter Mr Phillips was allegedly handed during that same meeting, which read: “Dear Howard, thank you for your continued cooperation. Moscow very pleased with ongoing progress.”
He reportedly asked that, going forward, the officers refer to Moscow as “mother” in their messages.
It is alleged that after this point, Mr Phillips continued to assist the supposed agents and did not withdraw his Border Force job application, which prosecutors say would have provided him with further access to Government information.
A note that promised “100 per cent loyalty” to the Russian Intelligence Service (RIS) was also contained in the USB stick he allegedly dropped in the bike.
It also claimed Mr Phillips could move “under the radar” if he gained a valid government security vetting pass.
The trial had heard previously how the dad had applied for a job with the UK Border Force in October 2023.
However, he was unemployed at the time of the alleged spying, with Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, saying his “financial struggles” contributed to his “eagerness and desire” to help the RIS.
Messages between Mr Phillips and the “Russian spies” began in March 2024, starting first over email before moving to WhatsApp, and eventually Signal.
Shapps served as defence secretary from August 2023 to July 2024 and would have been involved in countless important communications with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The trial continues.
