New powers to nail Russian ‘sleeper’ spies in the UK will be unveiled this week.
Proposed Law Commission updates to the 1989 Official Secrets Act will pave the way for MI5 to prosecute or deport them.
Under current laws suspected deep cover agents using their real names and backgrounds cannot be arrested unless caught spying red-handed.
But soon anyone working for a foreign power here could have to declare it – or face the boot if found out.
The move will stop the likes of Russian Anna Chapman who worked for top firms in the
UK before being seized by the FBI in a US spy ring in 2010.
But it would not affect so-called “legal” spies under diplomatic cover in embassies who are already known to MI5.
The proposed changes to the Act follow the Intelligence and Security Committee’s devastating Russia report last month, probing claims of meddling in the Scottish and Brexit referendums.
Secret service historian Stephen Dorril said: “The real problems are spies in deep cover who do the ordinary job during the day and spy at night.”
New treason laws put forward will make it easier to prosecute British jihadists fighting for IS, making “acts of betrayal” a life sentence crime.
Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has given anyone who is concerned about the new laws until December 23 to respond.
Other measures will include naming and shaming Putin when he is known to be behind cyber attacks against Britain.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “This Government has zero tolerance for those acting against British interests.”
