&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "'Very serious consequences': UK arrests three for ‘spying for Russia’ amid Trump-Starmer meeting")
British police arrested three people in Essex on Thursday (September 18) on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service linked to Russia. Officers said the case falls under the National Security Act, introduced two years ago to give tougher powers against threats from foreign states. This comes as US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are meeting at Chequers, which was built in 1556 and used as a country house by serving prime ministers for over a century.
Who were the suspects?
The three include two men, aged 41 and 46, and a woman aged 35. All are accused of offences connected to working on behalf of Moscow’s intelligence networks.
Police warn of ‘proxies’ working for foreign powers
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counterterrorism unit, said, “We’re seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services.” He warned that anyone tempted to work with hostile states should expect tough consequences. “This kind of activity will be investigated, and anyone found to be involved can expect to be prosecuted, and there are potentially very serious consequences,” he added.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts Egypt; scary tremors caught on camera | WATCH
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
Nick Jonas' July photo dump featuring Priyanka Chopra and Malti Marie leaves fans gushing over family bond
)
‘Pakistan eroded India's faith bit by bit’: Indian envoy defends putting Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance
)
World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Trump, Putin kissing in Amsterdam? Pride parade’s ‘couple’ goes viral | WATCH
)
Trump admin creating ‘incubators’ to develop tech to counter drone terror attacks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
One S-400 battery, dozens of targets: How it fights an air battle in seconds
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
CJP's Abhijit Dipke speaks to protesting students in Jharkhand, extends support to their demands: Will he go to Ranchi?
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
'Living Nostradamus' warns of a new war, claims two of his 2026 predictions have come true
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How the S-400 turns the sky into a no-fly zone
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Spain-Israel social media feud erupts after Ceuta migrant crisis: Why Israel is being linked
)
Fact Check: Viral photo shows Trump leaning in for a kiss with Brigitte Macron. Here is the full truth
)
Iran says Oman talks on new Strait of Hormuz transit route near completion
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Kangana Ranaut’s Gen Z U-Turn: Actress-MP wishes youth on Friendship Day after facing backlash over 'Generation Gutter' remark
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
August 2025 movie release calendar: Toxic, Batwara 1947, Awarapan 2 and all big-ticket films hitting theatres
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Tom Holland-Zendaya to Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds: Actors who met on sets and fell in love and married
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Muslims should not befriend kaafirs': Pak Army DG says India-Afghan ties that of 'master-slave'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
Past cases linked to Russia
Murphy pointed to recent convictions of two young British men recruited by Russia’s Wagner Group to carry out an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked warehouse. While he said the latest arrests are not connected to that case, he said those individuals now face long prison terms.
Britain’s repeated warnings about Moscow
British security officials have long accused Russia of backing spy plots and sabotage missions across Europe. The head of MI5 previously said Moscow’s operatives were attempting to create “mayhem”. The Kremlin has rejected the claims, accusing Britain of blaming Russia for “anything bad” that happens in the country.
Other spy cases this year
In July, three men were convicted for arson attacks on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which officials said were ordered by Wagner. Earlier in March, a group of Bulgarians were also found guilty of working as a spy cell fortheKremlin.
