66-year-old Howard Phillips from Harlow, Essex, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to assist what he believed were Russian agents in gathering information about former defense secretary Sir Grant Shapps. Phillips offered sensitive details, including Shapps’ contact information and private plane location, to facilitate espionage. The agents were actually undercover British intelligence officers, leading to Phillips’ conviction under the National Security Act. The court described Phillips as motivated by financial gain and exhibiting narcissistic tendencies, while Shapps expressed shock and concern for his family’s safety.
