Daniel Khalife: Ex-soldier accused of spying told MI5 that Iranians 'know where my mum lives'

The court case continues for Daniel Khalife, who is accused of spying for Iran. Khalife said in court that everything he gave the Iranians was “fabricated”, and that he didn't "know why they keep falling for it”

The ex-soldier ­accused of spying told MI5 the Iranians “know about my family”. He said: “They know where my mum lives, it’s got ­insane”, a court heard.

In 2021, Daniel Khalife phoned the intelligence agency claiming he had been in contact with Iran for more than two years. He said he was “worried” about reporting it but that all information he had given Iran was fabricated.

Khalife, raised in Kingston, South West London, joined the army in 2018. He is accused of spying and eliciting information useful to terrorists. He is also accused of a bomb hoax and prison escape on remand. Khalife, 23, denies all charges at Woolwich crown court.

A transcript of the first phone call, to MI5’s public phone number on November 9, was read out to the jury. He told the operator that he would like to stay anonymous. He said he was “worried” about reporting what he had done because the Iranians were “very, very, in my face”.

He said: “They know pretty much everything about me, they know everything about my family, they know where my mum lives, it’s got insane.” Khalife claimed that everything he gave the Iranians was “fabricated”, the court heard. “I don’t know why they keep falling for it,” he said.

The trial continues.