Russian spies attended Brexit event in Parliament

A recent investigation by BBC News has uncovered that three Bulgarians, who were convicted of spying for Russia, attended a Brexit discussion event held in the Palace of Westminster back in May 2016. The individuals, Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzhambazov, and Katrin Ivanova, were photographed alongside representatives from various European political parties during this event. A spokesperson for Parliament stated that while the building is open to the public, they have strong security measures in place to ensure the safety of all visitors. However, the fact that these spies were able to attend such a significant event raises serious concerns about the security protocols in place at Parliament. The event was sponsored by Lyn Brown, a former MP who is now known as Baroness Brown of Silvertown. She expressed to the BBC that she has no recollection of the event and does not believe she interacted with the three individuals. Importantly, there is no indication that the event's organizers or attendees engaged in any wrongdoing. The three Bulgarians were part of a spy ring that conducted surveillance operations across Europe, targeting individuals who were seen as adversaries of the Russian government. They were involved in spying on journalists and political figures who opposed Vladimir Putin's regime. Roussev, who led the UK spy cell, had previously worked in the UK and had connections to Russia. After being dismissed from his job for embezzling funds, he posed as a legitimate businessman at various industry events. The investigation also revealed that the spies had ties to the Bulgarian Socialist Party, which they joined in early 2016. During their trial, messages exchanged between Dzhambazov and Roussev were presented as evidence, indicating that they had political connections within the upper ranks of the party. The event in Parliament was attended by notable political figures, including Georgi Pirinski, a former Bulgarian politician who had served as chair of the Bulgarian National Assembly. Concerns have been raised regarding the ease with which individuals can access Parliament, and Sir Iain Duncan-Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, has called for an investigation into whether the spies had entered the building on other occasions. A parliamentary spokesperson reassured the public that they have robust security processes in place to ensure the safety of everyone who visits Parliament. They also mentioned that members of Parliament can sponsor events based on their own judgment. This situation underscores the ongoing concerns about security in Parliament, particularly in light of previous allegations of espionage by foreign state actors.