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.
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 👇
NEW: The Ministry of Defence has banned electric vehicles with Chinese components from sensitive sites and military training bases.
Staff at secretive military sites have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology miles away from key buildings.
inews.co.uk/news/electri...
Staff at secretive military sites have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology miles away from key buildings.
inews.co.uk/news/electri...
Electric cars with Chinese parts banned from UK military sites over spying fears
Military staff working at Britain's premier intelligence hub have been told to park their EVs at least two miles away over fears their cars could be spying on them
inews.co.uk
April 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NEW: The Ministry of Defence has banned electric vehicles with Chinese components from sensitive sites and military training bases.
Staff at secretive military sites have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology miles away from key buildings.
inews.co.uk/news/electri...
Staff at secretive military sites have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology miles away from key buildings.
inews.co.uk/news/electri...
British security officials have “deep-rooted fears” about sharing intelligence with the US.
Higher restrictions are now likely to be placed on intelligence material sent to US counterparts which will be distributed on a “need to know” basis.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-spie...
Higher restrictions are now likely to be placed on intelligence material sent to US counterparts which will be distributed on a “need to know” basis.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-spie...
UK spies fears intelligence leaks after Trump team blunder
Higher restrictions now likely to be placed on intelligence sent to US, sources say, as growing distrust clouds 'special relationship'
inews.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
British security officials have “deep-rooted fears” about sharing intelligence with the US.
Higher restrictions are now likely to be placed on intelligence material sent to US counterparts which will be distributed on a “need to know” basis.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-spie...
Higher restrictions are now likely to be placed on intelligence material sent to US counterparts which will be distributed on a “need to know” basis.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-spie...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
Exclusive | The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts
@richardholmes.bsky.social reports
@richardholmes.bsky.social reports
UK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peacekeeping force
The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts
inews.co.uk
March 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Exclusive | The elite units could be deployed rapidly, gather intelligence and counter Russian 'greyzone' activity, say experts
@richardholmes.bsky.social reports
@richardholmes.bsky.social reports
EXCLUSIVE: British Special Forces have been put on standby to head to Ukraine as part of the UK’s peacekeeping mission.
Directive from Govt to military signifies increasing UK confidence in a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.
inews.co.uk/news/special...
Directive from Govt to military signifies increasing UK confidence in a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.
inews.co.uk/news/special...
UK Special Forces on standby to join Ukraine peace-keeping force
UK Special Forces can help with intelligence gathering and possibly countering any Russian 'greyzone' activity in Ukraine
inews.co.uk
March 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
EXCLUSIVE: British Special Forces have been put on standby to head to Ukraine as part of the UK’s peacekeeping mission.
Directive from Govt to military signifies increasing UK confidence in a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.
inews.co.uk/news/special...
Directive from Govt to military signifies increasing UK confidence in a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.
inews.co.uk/news/special...
Closer ties between Trump and Putin are making UK intelligence officials uneasy.
As the UK becomes Putin’s number one enemy, it does so with lingering doubts about its closest and most trusted ally.
My latest: t.co/Yi5DBsxbA3
As the UK becomes Putin’s number one enemy, it does so with lingering doubts about its closest and most trusted ally.
My latest: t.co/Yi5DBsxbA3
https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-spying-risk-closer-us-russia-relations-3584421
t.co
March 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Closer ties between Trump and Putin are making UK intelligence officials uneasy.
As the UK becomes Putin’s number one enemy, it does so with lingering doubts about its closest and most trusted ally.
My latest: t.co/Yi5DBsxbA3
As the UK becomes Putin’s number one enemy, it does so with lingering doubts about its closest and most trusted ally.
My latest: t.co/Yi5DBsxbA3
Reposted by Richard Holmes
EXCLUSIVE: Investigators tracking Ukranian children abducted and taken to Russia have had to stop work as the Conflict Observatory's funding is cut by Elon Musk's DOGE.
The funding freeze impacts intelligence sharing w Ukraine and the efforts to bring these kids home
inews.co.uk/news/world/m...
The funding freeze impacts intelligence sharing w Ukraine and the efforts to bring these kids home
inews.co.uk/news/world/m...
Musk cuts the team finding Ukrainian children stolen by Russia
Donald Trump’s federal cost-cutting - led by DOGE's Elon Musk – has now hit the unit helping rescue Ukrainian children taken by Russia
inews.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Investigators tracking Ukranian children abducted and taken to Russia have had to stop work as the Conflict Observatory's funding is cut by Elon Musk's DOGE.
The funding freeze impacts intelligence sharing w Ukraine and the efforts to bring these kids home
inews.co.uk/news/world/m...
The funding freeze impacts intelligence sharing w Ukraine and the efforts to bring these kids home
inews.co.uk/news/world/m...
Reposted by Richard Holmes
Four senior Cabinet Office officials have said years of inactivity, underfunding, and recruitment problems have exposed the UK to a growing threat of cyber warfare from hostile states and international criminals.
Scoop from @richardholmes.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/uk-unpr...
Scoop from @richardholmes.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/uk-unpr...
The UK is unprepared and vulnerable to Russian cyber attacks. Here's why
Years of underfunding, recruitment and IT issues leave the country at 'critical risk' of cyber attack, senior officials warn
inews.co.uk
March 13, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Four senior Cabinet Office officials have said years of inactivity, underfunding, and recruitment problems have exposed the UK to a growing threat of cyber warfare from hostile states and international criminals.
Scoop from @richardholmes.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/uk-unpr...
Scoop from @richardholmes.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/uk-unpr...
SCOOP: Informal discussions have taken place between UK and US security officials over the way British intelligence is being used and disseminated by US counterparts.
Talks sought to steady nerves and maintain a long-standing tradition of intel sharing.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-secu...
Talks sought to steady nerves and maintain a long-standing tradition of intel sharing.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-secu...
UK security services' concern over intelligence sharing with Trump administration
Fears over the US weakening its support for NATO and reports a senior Trump official proposed axing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance have caused disquiet in intelligence circles
inews.co.uk
February 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
SCOOP: Informal discussions have taken place between UK and US security officials over the way British intelligence is being used and disseminated by US counterparts.
Talks sought to steady nerves and maintain a long-standing tradition of intel sharing.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-secu...
Talks sought to steady nerves and maintain a long-standing tradition of intel sharing.
inews.co.uk/news/uk-secu...
US and UK security sources warned back in NOVEMBER that Trump would use intelligence sharing as a bargaining chip - unfortunately, it seems they were right.
Read our original report here:
inews.co.uk/news/trump-t...
Read our original report here:
inews.co.uk/news/trump-t...
Trump could threaten to withhold intelligence from UK, security sources warn
Special Report: Security officials on both sides of the Atlantic are waiting to see how the Trump presidency will impact on the sharing of intelligence
inews.co.uk
February 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
US and UK security sources warned back in NOVEMBER that Trump would use intelligence sharing as a bargaining chip - unfortunately, it seems they were right.
Read our original report here:
inews.co.uk/news/trump-t...
Read our original report here:
inews.co.uk/news/trump-t...
🚨DRONES LATEST: Government faces mounting pressure to investigate Russian links to UK drone sightings.
Labour MP joins the call for "urgent enquiry" as Shadow Home Sec refers evidence to parliament's Intelligence Committee.
inews.co.uk/news/mod-pre...
Labour MP joins the call for "urgent enquiry" as Shadow Home Sec refers evidence to parliament's Intelligence Committee.
inews.co.uk/news/mod-pre...
MoD faces mounting pressure to probe Russia link to drone sightings at RAF bases
More MPs call for the Ministry of Defence to investigate suspected Russian links to drone sightings over RAF air bases after revelations by The i Paper
inews.co.uk
February 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
🚨DRONES LATEST: Government faces mounting pressure to investigate Russian links to UK drone sightings.
Labour MP joins the call for "urgent enquiry" as Shadow Home Sec refers evidence to parliament's Intelligence Committee.
inews.co.uk/news/mod-pre...
Labour MP joins the call for "urgent enquiry" as Shadow Home Sec refers evidence to parliament's Intelligence Committee.
inews.co.uk/news/mod-pre...