Ex-UK government contractor in court charged with national security disclosures

A former British government contractor appeared in a London court on Friday charged with making "damaging disclosures" about national security.

Juan Joseph, 42, is charged with two offences under the Official Secrets Act in November 2024 and January this year.

The charges allege he made a damaging disclosure of information relating to security or intelligence which was in his possession by virtue of his former position.

Prosecutor Jane Stansfield said Joseph "worked within the UK intelligence community", without stating what organisation he worked for or elaborating on the information beyond saying it was not "anything to do with international relations".

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She said: "It is information which has been considered by those who hold it to be damaging to the work of the organisations within the UK intelligence community that the defendant worked in. There is also potential damage to individuals."

Joseph, who represented himself, indicated not guilty pleas to the two charges.

He will next appear at the Old Bailey on February 14.