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Espionage: Prosecutions

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyHome OfficeTabled Answered 17 June 2025UIN 58987

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been prosecuted for espionage in the last 12 months.

Answered by Dan Jarvis

From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, seven people have been convicted under espionage offences.

These offences were contrary to section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and conspiracy to spy offences contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

A number of related cases are proceeding through the courts at various stages though these have not yet concluded.

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