'Spy's' bail conditions are eased

A former Parliamentary researcher accused of spying for Russia has succeeded in her bid to have some of her bail conditions relaxed.

Katia Zatuliveter, 25, is fighting deportation amid allegations she used her position as an assistant to Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock to pass information to Russian intelligence.

A judge at the Special Immigrations Appeal Commission (Siac) agreed to lift some of the "quite severe" restrictions against her and said he wanted to make it easier for her to get a job.

Miss Zatuliveter had been banned from visiting Parliament or contacting Mr Hancock, and required to notify Home Secretary Theresa May if she met anyone other than her immediate family and legal team.

Before the ruling, Tim Owen QC, representing Ms Zatuliveter, said her bail conditions were impossible to fit with a normal employment situation "unless she applies for a job as a lighthouse keeper".

The hearing was also told she had a "prospect of employment" with the news channel Russia Today. The judge, Mr Justice Mitting, said: "I am very keen she should be free to work in a job that does not, in the view of the Secretary of State, propose a risk to national security."

Under the revised conditions, Ms Zatuliveter is free to have visitors to her home. The judge added that she must notify the Secretary of State after attending a job interview but does not need prior clearance to do so.

The Russian began working for Mr Hancock as an intern in November 2006, soon after she arrived in Britain to study for a master's degree at Bradford University.

She was given a pass to the House of Commons and was paid £250 a month from his expenses account, before becoming his full-time Parliamentary assistant. She was stopped at Gatwick Airport in August and then arrested at the start of December amid fears she was engaged in espionage.

The Government wants to deport her on the grounds her presence is a danger to national security. Miss Zatuliveter has been told she will not be able to challenge her deportation until a four-day hearing at Siac in October.