Angus McCullough QC (leading Ben Watson of 3 Raymond Buildings) acted as Special Advocate for Katia Zatuliveter, 26, the Russian who was formerly employed as a Parliamentary assistant to the MP Mike Hancock. The Home Secretary had made a deportation order against her, based on alleged spying activity. Her appeal was allowed by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in a judgment handed down on 29 November 2011.
At an earlier hearing, the judge, Mr Justice Mitting, had ruled that Sir Stephen Lander, Former Director General of MI5 could remain on the panel which decided whether the MP’s former aide accused of spying should be deported from the UK, rejecting the argument of those representing Zatuliveter that the former head of MI5 could not be seen to be impartial.
After a hearing in which Angus McCullough QC appeared, representing Zatuliveter’s interests in the closed sessions considering evidence not disclosed to her, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission rejected the Government’s case that she had been tasked by the Russian Intelligence Services. The Home Secretary did not seek permission to appeal the ruling.
Robert Wastell appeared as junior counsel for the Government in the case.
