Ex-policeman stripped of British citizenship over links with Russia | UK | News

A former police officer has become the first Briton to be stripped of his UK citizenship over his links to Russia. Normally the move is associated with terrorists and dangerous gangsters, but Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood justified it on national security grounds. Mark Bullen, 45, has had his British passport canceled after working for Hertfordshire Constabulary for more than a decade. He once described Russia as his “childhood love” and admitted to Russian media that he was called a spy by family and friends during his childhood because of his passion for the Soviet Union.

The man received Russian citizenship, his “lifelong dream”, in 2022 and lives in St Petersburg. He said it was “easy” to visit the UK to visit his family once or twice a year until November 2024, when he claimed he was “forcibly detained” as part of a terrorist attack at Luton Airport. He said his electronic devices were confiscated and he was asked about the 2018 Salisbury poisonings during a four-hour interview after flying from Russia to England.

According to The Times, Bullen met with senior Russian officers during his time in the British police and took part in a month-long exchange in St Petersburg.

Ms Mahmood said the evidence on which her decision was based “should not be made public in the interest of national security”.

But he denies any wrongdoing. When he was stripped of his citizenship last year, he told the Daily Mail: “I absolutely deny that I pose any threat to the UK. “I find it funny.

”I have a hard time believing that a country like England, which is supposed to be in favor of freedom and liberty, would act this way.

”I was never accused. “I have an excellent police record, have been commended twice and have been awarded police officer of the year.”

In the past, only two people, both foreign nationals, were believed to have had their British citizenship revoked due to their suspected links to the Kremlin.

The Home Office said: “Deprivation of British citizenship is a vital tool used to protect the UK from some of the most dangerous people, including those involved in terrorism, hostile state activity or serious organized crime.

“Deprivation decisions are never taken lightly, but this government will always take whatever action is necessary to keep our country safe.”