'Russian spy' report leads to extra harbour training

Torbay harbour staff to receive more training

Staff working in Torbay’s harbours are to be given extra training amid reports that a Russian spy came ashore at Torquay on a mission to snoop on Ukrainian troops.

The spy was one of two reported to have come ashore in the UK recently by the i Paper. He was said to have travelled from Torquay to Dorset, where Ukrainian troops were receiving training at a military facility.

The report raised questions about UK security, with spies travelling on cargo ships and using less busy ports such as Torquay to enter the country. The report suggested that the spy had travelled as a member of the ship’s crew, and there was no suggestion that he had entered the country illegally.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said he was alarmed by the reports, and called for a review of security. He tabled an urgent question to a full meeting of Torbay Council, where he serves the Barton with Watcombe ward alongside his Westminster role.

His motion said: “Recent national reporting has revealed that a suspected Russian intelligence operative, previously observed inside highly secure Russian military bases, arrived at the Torquay dock earlier this year aboard a cargo ship originating in Finland.

“After disembarking, they travelled towards rural areas near the Lulworth firing range, where British forces are training Ukrainian personnel.

“There is no indication that the ships’ owners, captains or crews knowingly assisted espionage, but experts believe this method aligns with a Kremlin strategy of covert maritime entry, exploiting weaker port border checks.”

He said that given Torbay’s role as a port of entry, urgent reassurance was required that intelligence risks were being fully assessed.

“At a time when Russia has a very adversarial posture towards the UK, it is incumbent on all harbour authority staff to be vigilant.”

In response, harbour committee chair Cllr Andrew Strang (Con, Furzeham with Summercombe), explained that immigration and border control were the responsibility of HM Border Force, and the council had no power to screen or vet people arriving in the UK.

However, a range of measures was in place at Torquay, Paignton and Brixham harbours including round-the-clock security and counter-terrorism training for staff.

Officers from Border Force had visited the bay in November, he said, and during the last passenger ship visit to Torquay there had been an unannounced and ‘positive’ inspection of security arrangements by the Department of Transport.

And, he added: “In addition to this, the harbour authority will deliver awareness training with all harbour staff, both operational and administration, covering the news article.

“This will also include refresher training on security awareness within their respective ports.”

Cllr Strang also asked Cllr Darling to use his position as the bay’s MP to provide any assistance he could.