The UK should not overreact following the arrest of a British embassy worker who is feared to have passed on information to the Russians.
David Smith, 57, a security guard contracted to the embassy, was arrested after a months-long investigation by MI5 and German intelligence agencies.
In a statement, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office said Mr Smith was suspected of selling documents obtained during his work at the embassy to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.
Mr Smith was arrested in Potsdam, near Berlin, by officials from the Federal Criminal Police Office.
But Lord Ricketts has warned the nation to not overreact or jump to conclusions.
Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “It tells me that we’re probably not looking at highly classified information being passed to the Russians - a security guard would not have access to that.
“But of course, since the terrorist threat in 9/11, we’ve needed many hundreds of security guards to keep our embassies safe around the world, 24/7 guarding for most places, and the great majority have given very loyal service over many years, so I don’t think we should jump to the conclusion that the system is wrong because this one individual appears to have fallen for an old Russian trap of paying money for information.”
Lord Ricketts said the allegations should be a “reminder” that “old-fashioned” methods of spying were still being carried out, stating: “We all think now about the Russians stealing secrets by hacking and providing disinformation by social media and so on - it is a reminder that the Russians haven’t given up also on the old-fashioned ways of suborning individuals through money.”
Asked whether there were echoes of the Cold War in the situation in Germany, he added: “Yes, and I think the Russian intelligence threat to all our countries has grown again.
“It probably dipped at the end of the Cold War but it is absolutely back in all our countries and so vigilance is essential, not only in these new areas but also in the old-fashioned areas of good physical security around embassies and ensuring loyalty in staff.”
