British marine accused of working for Chinese intelligence found dead
The body of Matthew Trickett, 37, a former British Navy marine accused of working for Chinese intelligence, has been found in a park in the British town of Maidenhead. His death is being treated by police as unexplained.
Trickett's body was found on the evening of 19 May in Grenfell Park. According to the police and the victim's lawyer, Trickett was awaiting trial on charges of spying for China. The charges included spying on pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong living in the UK.
Trickett was arrested and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 13 May before being released on bail on condition that he report regularly to a police station. The last time he had checked in at the station was shortly before his death. An internal investigation has been launched by the Thames Valley Police Professional Standards Department into the matter.
Trickett's lawyer, Juliana Hayes, said her client's death is being treated as unexplained and the investigation is ongoing. The Chinese embassy in Britain strongly condemned the allegations, calling them baseless.
Earlier on 9 September 2023, an assistant MP was detained in the UK suspected of spying for China. The detainee worked with MPs on international policy issues and had previously lived and worked in China. The intelligence services suspect he may have been recruited in China.
Matthew Trickett's death adds a new page to a series of incidents involving allegations of spying for China in the UK. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the cause and circumstances of his death.
From information sent by an anonymous source
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