Richard Holmes
@richardholmes.bsky.social
Multi-award winning investigative reporter at The i Paper. Regularly writing about national security and espionage both at home and abroad.
Hit me up: richard.holmes@inews.co.uk
Hit me up: richard.holmes@inews.co.uk
Pinned
Richard Holmes
@richardholmes.bsky.social
· Nov 14
I have spent almost a decade investigating the secretive work of intelligence agencies at home and abroad.
I like to toe the line between national security and public interest, threading secrets out of the world's most secretive institutions. If that sounds like your bag, hit that follow button.
I like to toe the line between national security and public interest, threading secrets out of the world's most secretive institutions. If that sounds like your bag, hit that follow button.
Reposted by Richard Holmes
From @richardholmes.bsky.social
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
Putin's runaway tanker is 200 miles off UK waters. And US forces are massing in Britain
UK and European officials fear a US attempt to seize the vessel could provoke retaliation from Moscow
inews.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
From @richardholmes.bsky.social
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
Reports of four "military-style" drones following Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane before it landed at Dublin airport are incredibly concerning, but not surprising.
Before we give credit to the aggressor we're all thinking about, lets wait for details. Details I will certainly be hunting for.
Before we give credit to the aggressor we're all thinking about, lets wait for details. Details I will certainly be hunting for.
December 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Reports of four "military-style" drones following Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane before it landed at Dublin airport are incredibly concerning, but not surprising.
Before we give credit to the aggressor we're all thinking about, lets wait for details. Details I will certainly be hunting for.
Before we give credit to the aggressor we're all thinking about, lets wait for details. Details I will certainly be hunting for.
🚨SPIES, DAY TWO: Counter-Terror Police were reported to a suspicious man spying on Lulworth Firing Range - flying drones and fixing metal devices in trees.
The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base.
inews.co.uk/news/suspect...
The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base.
inews.co.uk/news/suspect...
Suspected spy staying in Dorset shepherd's hut reported to counter-terror police
Man witnessed flying drone near Dorset military base where Ukraine's troops are trained
inews.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
🚨SPIES, DAY TWO: Counter-Terror Police were reported to a suspicious man spying on Lulworth Firing Range - flying drones and fixing metal devices in trees.
The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base.
inews.co.uk/news/suspect...
The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base.
inews.co.uk/news/suspect...
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Two suspected Russian spies slipped into the UK this year aboard commercial cargo ships, before moving near military bases & critical infrastructure.
An @theipaper.com investigation reveals how The Kremlin is using European shipping lanes as covert infiltration routes.
An @theipaper.com investigation reveals how The Kremlin is using European shipping lanes as covert infiltration routes.
December 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Two suspected Russian spies slipped into the UK this year aboard commercial cargo ships, before moving near military bases & critical infrastructure.
An @theipaper.com investigation reveals how The Kremlin is using European shipping lanes as covert infiltration routes.
An @theipaper.com investigation reveals how The Kremlin is using European shipping lanes as covert infiltration routes.
Whatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe's fight with Russia will drum on.
Senior military, diplomatic and intelligence figures say that a peace deal, any peace deal, will only intensify the continent’s confrontation with Vladimir Putin.
inews.co.uk/news/whateve...
Senior military, diplomatic and intelligence figures say that a peace deal, any peace deal, will only intensify the continent’s confrontation with Vladimir Putin.
inews.co.uk/news/whateve...
Whatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe will still have to fight with Putin
Confrontations with Russia will not let up if Donald Trump’s proposed deal is signed - instead they may 'ramp up', senior officials say
inews.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Whatever peace looks like in Ukraine, Europe's fight with Russia will drum on.
Senior military, diplomatic and intelligence figures say that a peace deal, any peace deal, will only intensify the continent’s confrontation with Vladimir Putin.
inews.co.uk/news/whateve...
Senior military, diplomatic and intelligence figures say that a peace deal, any peace deal, will only intensify the continent’s confrontation with Vladimir Putin.
inews.co.uk/news/whateve...
NEW: The UK signed off China’s new London embassy after Chinese officials offered a ‘cut-price’ rebuild of Britain’s crumbling embassy in Beijing.
The Foreign Office “pressured” No 10 into the decision despite security risks, according to sources.
inews.co.uk/news/astonis...
The Foreign Office “pressured” No 10 into the decision despite security risks, according to sources.
inews.co.uk/news/astonis...
The astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy 'spy base' is being approved
A decision on the Chinese super embassy is expected next month, which would give Beijing one of the largest diplomatic bases in the world
inews.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
NEW: The UK signed off China’s new London embassy after Chinese officials offered a ‘cut-price’ rebuild of Britain’s crumbling embassy in Beijing.
The Foreign Office “pressured” No 10 into the decision despite security risks, according to sources.
inews.co.uk/news/astonis...
The Foreign Office “pressured” No 10 into the decision despite security risks, according to sources.
inews.co.uk/news/astonis...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
I've seen claims that Darren Grimes used a faked photograph in this blogpost, so I've decided to take a closer look, see if an elected official would be low enough to use a fake image to promote anti-immigrant sentiment (the answer will shock you!)
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: DURHAM FILES PROVE LABOUR USES COUNTY AS MIGRANT DUMPING GROUND WHILE HIDING TRUTH IN PARLIAMENT
The “fair share” is a fantasy. Wealthy Southern councils sit in their leafy enclaves while County Durham is packed. Now whistleblower files reveal the truth Labour wanted buried!
www.darrengrimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I've seen claims that Darren Grimes used a faked photograph in this blogpost, so I've decided to take a closer look, see if an elected official would be low enough to use a fake image to promote anti-immigrant sentiment (the answer will shock you!)
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing.
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
China's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officials
MI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament
inews.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing.
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing.
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
China's 'LinkedIn' spies targeted senior Home Office, NATO and Foreign Office officials
MI5 issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence services were trying to 'interfere' and 'influence' Parliament
inews.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
BREAKING: Two people accused of targeting MPs on LinkedIn for Chinese intelligence connected with senior officials at the Home Office and Foreign Office, high-ranking NATO staff, and individuals at the UK’s embassy in Beijing.
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
inews.co.uk/news/chinas-...
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has circulated guidance from MI5 warning MPs they face a significant risk of espionage from the Chinese state.
Sir Lindsay said Chinese state actors were "relentless" in trying to "interfere" and "influence" Parliament - not an enemy though.
Sir Lindsay said Chinese state actors were "relentless" in trying to "interfere" and "influence" Parliament - not an enemy though.
November 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has circulated guidance from MI5 warning MPs they face a significant risk of espionage from the Chinese state.
Sir Lindsay said Chinese state actors were "relentless" in trying to "interfere" and "influence" Parliament - not an enemy though.
Sir Lindsay said Chinese state actors were "relentless" in trying to "interfere" and "influence" Parliament - not an enemy though.
Today, the UK announced new cyber laws to strengthen defences for essential public services like healthcare, transport and energy.
The annual bill from hacks is almost £15 billion. The new laws hope to lower that figure.
But will they make any difference?
The annual bill from hacks is almost £15 billion. The new laws hope to lower that figure.
But will they make any difference?
November 14, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Today, the UK announced new cyber laws to strengthen defences for essential public services like healthcare, transport and energy.
The annual bill from hacks is almost £15 billion. The new laws hope to lower that figure.
But will they make any difference?
The annual bill from hacks is almost £15 billion. The new laws hope to lower that figure.
But will they make any difference?
Reposted by Richard Holmes
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea.
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coast
Recent drone incursions into Belgium are thought to have been launched from Russian-linked cargo ships in the North Sea, according to UK intelligence and Nato officials
inews.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea.
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea.
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Putin's new drone war against Europe launched just 50 miles from UK coast
Recent drone incursions into Belgium are thought to have been launched from Russian-linked cargo ships in the North Sea, according to UK intelligence and Nato officials
inews.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW: Russia is believed to be behind recent drone incursions into Belgium from Kremlin-linked cargo ships in the North Sea.
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Drones overflying military bases have become a regular feature of Putin’s aggression in the West - the shadow fleet is helping.
inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
Many months in the reporting - my investigation into Amazon warehouses is finally live today. A huge thank you to the workers and others who spoke to me, on and off the record. inews.co.uk/news/human-c...
Broken bones, heart attacks and chemical burns - the human cost of Amazon orders
2,500 serious injury incidents have been recorded in UK Amazon warehouses in the last ten years - roughly one injury every day and a half
inews.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Many months in the reporting - my investigation into Amazon warehouses is finally live today. A huge thank you to the workers and others who spoke to me, on and off the record. inews.co.uk/news/human-c...
NEW: Western intelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks.
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war: inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war: inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war
Intelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks - while disinformation campaigns direct migration flows
inews.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
NEW: Western intelligence agencies suspect hostile states are providing equipment and infrastructure to fuel illicit smuggling networks.
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war: inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Russia's tactics to 'flood' Europe with migrants as a weapon of war: inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
LATEST: Making details of the China spying case public has effectively “killed” some active operations.
“We’ve done our job and caught them red-handed, and it’s just been thrown under the bus,” a UK intelligence source said.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
“We’ve done our job and caught them red-handed, and it’s just been thrown under the bus,” a UK intelligence source said.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
China spy scandal 'kills' UK intelligence operations in Beijing
MPs pile pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions over the spy trial collapse
inews.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
LATEST: Making details of the China spying case public has effectively “killed” some active operations.
“We’ve done our job and caught them red-handed, and it’s just been thrown under the bus,” a UK intelligence source said.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
“We’ve done our job and caught them red-handed, and it’s just been thrown under the bus,” a UK intelligence source said.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
BREAK: The Government is currently £9bn short of their own defence spending target without a “clear plan” for how to reach it, the Public Accounts Committee has warned.
October 15, 2025 at 8:13 AM
BREAK: The Government is currently £9bn short of their own defence spending target without a “clear plan” for how to reach it, the Public Accounts Committee has warned.
EXCLUSIVE: The Government is set to face a parliamentary inquiry over its handling of the trial of two British men accused of spying for China.
The Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees are due to meet to discuss how best to probe the case.
inews.co.uk/news/governm...
The Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees are due to meet to discuss how best to probe the case.
inews.co.uk/news/governm...
Government faces inquiry over two alleged Chinese spies in Westminster
Since the collapse of the trial of two British men accused of spying for China there have been calls for an inquiry into the Government’s handling of the case
inews.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
EXCLUSIVE: The Government is set to face a parliamentary inquiry over its handling of the trial of two British men accused of spying for China.
The Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees are due to meet to discuss how best to probe the case.
inews.co.uk/news/governm...
The Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees are due to meet to discuss how best to probe the case.
inews.co.uk/news/governm...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection.
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job ads
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran are using sophisticated AI-generated job adverts in a brazen attempt to breach devices belonging to UK and allied military officials
inews.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection.
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection.
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran target MoD staff with fake LinkedIn job ads
Cyber criminals from Russia and Iran are using sophisticated AI-generated job adverts in a brazen attempt to breach devices belonging to UK and allied military officials
inews.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
🚨NEW: Cyber criminals from Russia & Iran are posting fake job ads to lure MOD & NATO personnel, contractors, and suppliers — using offers to carry out identity theft, credential harvesting, and malware injection.
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
My latest: inews.co.uk/news/cyber-c...
🚨NEW: Russia and China are working together to perfect sabotage attacks on Europe and Taiwan, a classified EU intel report has warned.
The report, written in spring, underscores concerns that Beijing and Moscow are working in parallel against the West.
inews.co.uk/news/russia-...
The report, written in spring, underscores concerns that Beijing and Moscow are working in parallel against the West.
inews.co.uk/news/russia-...
Russia 'perfecting' China's sabotage tactics for war against West
European countries are ill-prepared for threat of co-ordinated sabotage attacks by Russia and China, a classified EU intelligence report has warned
inews.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
🚨NEW: Russia and China are working together to perfect sabotage attacks on Europe and Taiwan, a classified EU intel report has warned.
The report, written in spring, underscores concerns that Beijing and Moscow are working in parallel against the West.
inews.co.uk/news/russia-...
The report, written in spring, underscores concerns that Beijing and Moscow are working in parallel against the West.
inews.co.uk/news/russia-...
: Budget cuts and promotion freezes are seeing staff at UK intelligence agencies leave for the private sector.
With the promise of better pay, career progression and better work-life balance, the govt faces a drain of talent from security services.
inews.co.uk/news/mi5-spi...
With the promise of better pay, career progression and better work-life balance, the govt faces a drain of talent from security services.
inews.co.uk/news/mi5-spi...
MI5 spies are quitting for better pay and work-life balance
The UK's domestic security agency is losing staff in search of better career progression, sources have said
inews.co.uk
July 19, 2025 at 11:20 AM
: Budget cuts and promotion freezes are seeing staff at UK intelligence agencies leave for the private sector.
With the promise of better pay, career progression and better work-life balance, the govt faces a drain of talent from security services.
inews.co.uk/news/mi5-spi...
With the promise of better pay, career progression and better work-life balance, the govt faces a drain of talent from security services.
inews.co.uk/news/mi5-spi...
EXC: The MoD scrapped a crucial email safety check years before the Afghan data leak.
Safeguards mitigating against this type of leak were stripped away, security awareness declined, and infighting between gov depts ensued.
Fresh details for @theipaper: inews.co.uk/news/crucial...
Safeguards mitigating against this type of leak were stripped away, security awareness declined, and infighting between gov depts ensued.
Fresh details for @theipaper: inews.co.uk/news/crucial...
Crucial MoD email safety check was scrapped before Afghan data leak
Defence and security insiders claim essential data protections for MoD emails were removed before the data leak
inews.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 9:12 AM
EXC: The MoD scrapped a crucial email safety check years before the Afghan data leak.
Safeguards mitigating against this type of leak were stripped away, security awareness declined, and infighting between gov depts ensued.
Fresh details for @theipaper: inews.co.uk/news/crucial...
Safeguards mitigating against this type of leak were stripped away, security awareness declined, and infighting between gov depts ensued.
Fresh details for @theipaper: inews.co.uk/news/crucial...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
🚨 🚨 🚨 UK govt set up a secret multibillion-pound scheme to relocate thousands of Afghans to Britain after a data leak put them at risk of murder and torture by the Taliban...
Then gagged the media with a super-injunction for almost two years
www.ft.com/content/f6b4...
Then gagged the media with a super-injunction for almost two years
www.ft.com/content/f6b4...
UK set up secret Afghan immigration scheme after data leak and gagged media
‘Super-injunction’ lifted two years after 25,000 were placed at risk of Taliban reprisals
www.ft.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
🚨 🚨 🚨 UK govt set up a secret multibillion-pound scheme to relocate thousands of Afghans to Britain after a data leak put them at risk of murder and torture by the Taliban...
Then gagged the media with a super-injunction for almost two years
www.ft.com/content/f6b4...
Then gagged the media with a super-injunction for almost two years
www.ft.com/content/f6b4...
🚨 NEW: A specialist NATO unit is working with British intelligence to investigate and prevent “hybrid warfare” attacks by Russia on UK soil.
This is a key alignment in response to increased aggression from Putin. Here’s why it matters 👇
This is a key alignment in response to increased aggression from Putin. Here’s why it matters 👇
July 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
🚨 NEW: A specialist NATO unit is working with British intelligence to investigate and prevent “hybrid warfare” attacks by Russia on UK soil.
This is a key alignment in response to increased aggression from Putin. Here’s why it matters 👇
This is a key alignment in response to increased aggression from Putin. Here’s why it matters 👇