'Russian spy tricks womanising Brit MP for access to secret documents'

London, Dec 6 (ANI): A Brit minister was targeted by a 'Russian spy' in Moscow in a 'honeytrap' sting, it has emerged.

Liberal Democrat Mike Hancock, 64, was introduced to 25-year-old Katia Zatuliveter on one of his regular visits to the Eastern Bloc superpower.

Hancock gave the blonde a job and parliamentary pass to the blonde suspected agent - handing her at least three years' access to official documents on defence policy.

He has also asked questions about nuclear weapons and other hugely sensitive defence topics.

Now, his aide is facing deportation on the grounds that her suspected espionage is not 'conducive to national security,' reports the Daily Mail.

Government officials believe the Russian security services pinpointed the MP because of his defence interests and his reputation as a womaniser.

Sources say Russia, which has continued a Cold War-style espionage operation in the UK, mistrusts all military information issued by Britain and is determined to check every fact using secret techniques. It is also constantly on the hunt for industrial secrets - such as those provided by Britain's defence contractors.

Zatuliveter was picked up by the UK Border Agency on Thursday morning in what appears to be the first case since the Cold War of a Russian agent being removed from the Houses of Parliament.

Hancock, the MP for Portsmouth South, said, "I have no reason to believe she did anything but act honourably during the time she was working for me."

"She genuinely believes, and I back her 100 per cent, that she has nothing to hide and has done nothing wrong. She is not a Russian spy."

One Westminster source said, "She would walk around in very short skirts and high heels with Hancock and they would be seen having lunch together. Certainly some thought she was charming and intelligent."

Zatuliveter's father, Andrei, is listed as Russian representative of a British company called Choices (Northern UK) of which his son-in-law - Polina's husband Andrew Cowburn - is a director.

The deportation is likely to put further strain on diplomatic relations with Russia, which deteriorated after the poison murder of dissident spy Alexander Litvinenko in London four years ago. (ANI)