Matthew Trickett: Former Royal Marine accused of spying for Hong Kong intelligence service found dead in park
A former Royal Marine accused of spying for Hong Kong’s intelligence service has died in unexplained circumstances in a park in Berkshire.
Matthew Trickett, 37, was charged with offences under the National Security Act earlier this month.
His family said in a statement: “We are mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family member.”
They also appealed for privacy “at this difficult time”.
Thames Valley Police said officers were called to Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, at around 5.15pm on Sunday following a report from a member of the public.
The force said in a statement: “Officers attended the scene and found a man. Emergency treatment was commenced but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.
The force added that a post-mortem would be conducted in “due course”.
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Trickett was charged alongside Chi (Peter) Leung Wai, 38, from Staines, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, from Hackney, east London, with assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to the National Security Act, and with foreign interference, contrary to the National Security Act.
“The foreign intelligence service to which the charges relate is that of Hong Kong,” the Metropolitan Police said at the time.
At the time, police said that while the alleged offences were “concerning”, there was not believed to be any wider threat to the public.
It was alleged that between 20 December and 2 May, the trio agreed to undertake information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service.
They were also accused of forcing entry to a UK residential address on 1 May.
Trickett and his co-defendants appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 May, where they spoke only to confirm their names.
They were then released on bail and were next due to appear at the Old Bailey in London on Friday.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said during last week’s hearing that Trickett had attempted to take his own life after being charged and asked for him to be remanded in custody for his own welfare.
Trickett leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 May. Pic: PA
Case referred to police watchdog
Thames Valley Police said Trickett’s case had been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), because he had been “on court bail, awaiting court proceedings, which required him to register at a police station regularly”.
The force said a referral was “normal in such circumstances where there has been a death following police contact”.
It added: “The IOPC have assessed that referral and decided that the matter should be investigated by Thames Valley Police’s Professional Standards Department.”
Trickett’s solicitor Julian Hayes, a senior partner at Berris Law, said: “It has sadly been confirmed by Thames Valley Police, that the body found… was that of our client.
“We are naturally shocked at this news and supporting his family as best we can.”
Mr Hayes added: “Following a mandatory referral [to] the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to the prior contact with police, the matter has now been passed on to Thames Valley Police’s Professional Standards Department.
“It would therefore not be appropriate for us or the family to comment any further at this stage.”
Trickett, who was from Maidenhead, was formerly employed by the UK Border Force at Heathrow Airport, before joining Home Office Immigration Enforcement in February this year.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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