Accused MI5 Contractor Allegedly Leaked Secrets to Foreign State Amidst Grievances
A former IT contractor for the UK’s Security Service, MI5, is accused of passing on sensitive information to a foreign nation, purportedly in an effort to highlight his perceived “grievances” that he felt were being “silenced.” The extraordinary case, unfolding at the Old Bailey, will largely be conducted in secret, with jurors tasked with determining if the accused, Juan Joseph, 42, was legally insane at the time of the alleged offences.
The court heard that Joseph, who worked for MI5 for over a decade, allegedly travelled to an embassy in Latvia, seeking to meet with representatives of a foreign power. His communications, including emails, are said to have contained “sensitive information relating to security or intelligence, unauthorised disclosure of which was likely to be damaging” to the UK’s national security.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward, KC, outlined the case, stating that between late 2024 and early 2025, Joseph, “whilst undoubtedly mentally unwell,” sent a series of emails addressed to or copying in bodies representing one or more foreign countries. These emails, the prosecution contends, contained information that should not have been disclosed and that its unauthorised release was detrimental to UK national interests.
Joseph, residing in Sutton, South London, held a “developed vetting” security clearance during his tenure with MI5 from 2009 to 2020. This clearance granted him access to information of the highest classification. He also reportedly worked with another entity within the UK’s intelligence community.
However, his career with MI5 came to an abrupt end in October 2020 following a documented decline in his mental health. His security clearance was revoked, and his contract was terminated.
Following his dismissal, Joseph reportedly lodged several grievances against MI5. It was revealed that he attempted to initiate a private prosecution at Westminster Magistrates Court in August 2024. When this application was unsuccessful, Joseph proceeded to the High Court, seeking a judicial review of the decision.
The prosecution detailed further alleged actions, including emails sent to court officials in November 2024, which also copied in a foreign state. These communications are described as containing sensitive security or intelligence information, the unauthorised disclosure of which was deemed likely to harm national security. These actions prompted court officials to alert the police.
Just days later, on December 8, Joseph allegedly flew to Riga, Latvia, and travelled to an embassy, where he reportedly sent further emails requesting to meet with representatives of a foreign state. The identity of the foreign country involved remains undisclosed, a common measure in such sensitive cases to safeguard national security.
Upon his return to the UK, Joseph was intercepted at Gatwick Airport on December 15. During questioning by police, he refused to provide PIN codes for five mobile phones, a tablet, and a laptop that were seized, claiming he was still an MI5 officer.
Investigators later discovered a photograph taken opposite the embassy in Riga. The court also heard that Joseph subsequently sent an email to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which allegedly contained information likely to be damaging under the Official Secrets Act.
Joseph was eventually arrested on January 30, 2025, at an IBIS hotel in Sutton, where he had booked a two-night stay. During his arrest, he was described as “agitated,” clutching two phones and carrying a lock knife in his pocket. He reportedly informed the arresting officers that he was still an MI5 officer and therefore entitled to carry the weapon. A signed declaration under the Official Secrets Act was later found at his home, along with a counterfeit MI5 identification card.
In initial police interviews, Joseph maintained that he was still employed by MI5 and denied any unlawful disclosure of secret information. He also claimed he did not intend to copy the unnamed foreign country in his communications.
Ms. Ledward informed the jury that a key aspect of the trial would be to consider Joseph’s state of mind, specifically whether he was “not guilty by reason of insanity.” She acknowledged that there is no dispute regarding the fact that Joseph sent the emails and possessed the knife. The central issue, she stated, revolves around his mental state at the time of these actions.
The prosecution argued that under normal circumstances, a defendant’s actions of this nature would lead to a straightforward conclusion that they knew, or ought to have known, their conduct was prejudicial to the UK’s interests. However, she cautioned that the psychiatric evidence to be presented might offer a different perspective. This evidence could suggest that Joseph was suffering from a severe delusion, possibly paranoid schizophrenia, leading him to believe he had been wronged, was being silenced, and that escalating his complaint to a foreign power was necessary.
Juan Joseph, from Sutton, south London, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of making damaging disclosures relating to security. He also denies charges of preparatory conduct under the National Security Act, opening or disclosing protected information, and possession of an offensive weapon. The trial is ongoing.
