Brit software engineer convicted of leaking highly sensitive military information

A British software and analytical engineer who deliberately leaked highly sensitive military information and data, has been convicted of offences under the Official Secrets Act.

After initially pleading not guilty, Simon Finch, 50, of Southport, pleaded guilty part-way through his trial at the Old Bailey on Monday, November 9, to a series of offences.

Finch admitted: recording information for a purpose prejudicial to the safety of interests of the state; making a damaging disclosure relating to defence, and failing to comply with a notice requiring disclosure.

He is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey today, Tuesday, November 10.

Commander Richard Smith, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Finch carried out this act due to a perceived injustice against him.

“In doing so, he not only put at risk the safety and security of our military personnel, but also put at risk the safety and security of the UK as a whole.

“He also sought to frustrate our investigation further by refusing to provide passwords to his digital devices.”

The matter came to police attention after Finch emailed a number of people in October 2018 – one of whom contacted authorities upon receipt of what appeared to be sensitive military information.

Within the email were details of alleged grievances and injustices Finch felt he had suffered at the hands of UK state authorities, including police, health services and some of his former employers, which included companies contracted by the Ministry of Defence to work on weapons systems and software projects.

Finch said in his email that “in order to redress these perceived injustices against him”, he had set about documenting, from his memory, details of highly sensitive information on weapons systems that he had previously worked on.

He then claimed to have sent the documents and information to foreign and hostile states and embassies.

Thank you for taking the time to read this news article “Brit software engineer convicted of leaking highly sensitive military information”. For more UK daily news, Spanish daily news and Global news stories, visit the Euro Weekly News home page.

Euro Weekly News is delighted to continue to be able to bring you a range of News from around Spain in English and Global News live as it happens.

Euro Weekly News doesn’t cost you anything but your internet connection. Whether it’s bringing you the local Spanish news or the International news today, we’ve got you covered!

Euro Weekly News, the leading free local and national newspaper in Spain, the people’s paper, we lead others follow!