A man has been charged under the Official Secrets Act for an alleged « damaging disclosure » of defence information.

The Metropolitan Police said Simon Finch, 49, from Swansea, was alleged to have accessed the information as a civil servant or government contractor. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 9 October.

A Counter Terrorism Command probe was launched around 28 October 2018.

Under the 1989 act, a disclosure is considered damaging if it « damages the capability » of the Armed Forces, leads to loss of life, injury to its personnel or endangers UK interests abroad.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: « We are aware of proceedings involving an individual who has been charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act. « This is a police matter. »