UK embassy worker accused of spying had pro-Putin views, court told

Old Bailey hears legal argument about motivation of David Ballantyne Smith who has admitted eight charges

A security guard spying for Russia while working at the British embassy in Berlin was driven by an intense hatred for his own country and pro-Putin views, a UK court has heard.

David Ballantyne Smith pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Official Secrets Act in November 2022 for sharing confidential and sensitive material.