Ex-Defence Worker Admits Leaking Secret Military Info at Old Bailey
Simon Finch, from Southport, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving the leak of sensitive UK military secrets. The admission came halfway through his Old Bailey trial on Monday, 9 November.
Leaked Secrets Put National Security at Risk
Finch confessed to offences including:
- Recording information prejudicial to state safety under the Official Secrets Act 1911
- Making damaging defence disclosures under the Official Secrets Act 1989
- Failing to comply with a disclosure notice under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000
He will be sentenced on Tuesday, 10 November.
Met Commander Condemns Leak as Dangerous and Reckless
“Finch carried out this act due to 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,” said Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Smith also slammed Finch for refusing to hand over passwords to his digital devices, saying: “Anyone who leaks secret or sensitive data relating to the UK’s national security will be investigated fully and held to account.”
How Finch’s Leak Was Exposed
The case came to light after Finch emailed several recipients in October 2018, including one who tipped off the authorities after spotting what looked like classified military info. Finch’s emails detailed his grievances against UK authorities, including police, health services, and former defence contractors.
In the emails, Finch admitted to documenting secret weapons systems he had worked on and claimed he sent this info to foreign and hostile states and embassies.
Alongside these emails, Finch posted a video on social media airing his complaints about supposed injustices.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Detectives launched a full probe with the Ministry of Defence. Finch was arrested on 27 March 2019. Officers seized computers and devices but Finch refused to provide passwords, defying a legal order under RIPA.
Despite his refusal, Finch was charged on 17 September 2019 and has now admitted guilt.
