Daniel De Simone
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Correspondent for BBC News / Email: daniel.desimone@bbc.co.uk / Threema secure messenger ID: D3EHEVBK
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Articles by Daniel De Simone
MI5 will need proof to be believed in future, says Leveson after BBC investigation
The man responsible for overseeing the conduct of MI5 has said it will now have to provide proof to be believed by judges, after a BBC News investigation exposed how the security service lied to three courts. Lord Leveson, the investigatory powers commissioner and a former Court of Appeal justice, said that as a judge "if the security service said something to me, then I would accept it".
MI5 will not face contempt of court charges despite admitting its evidence was a lie
A previous BBC investigation found an MI5 agent used his role to abuse his girlfriend MI5 and its staff will not face contempt of court proceedings despite the spy agency admitting that its evidence to three courts was a lie, senior judges have ruled. The three judges, including Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, say a contempt case would be too complex for the court to manage, meaning it is not in the public interest to proceed.
MI5 will not face contempt of court charges despite admitting its evidence was a lie
MI5 and its staff will not face contempt of court proceedings despite the spy agency admitting that its evidence to three courts was a lie, senior judges have ruled. The three judges, including Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, say a contempt case would be too complex for the court to manage, meaning it is not in the public interest to proceed.
MI5 false evidence in neo-Nazi spy case a serious failing, says intelligence watchdog
The man responsible for overseeing the conduct of the UK's intelligence services has said that MI5 lying to multiple courts while defending a violent neo-Nazi spy is as "serious as anything" he has ever dealt with. "Oversight depends on candour," said investigatory powers commissioner Lord Leveson.
Detective raped by colleague says Met handling of case 'like being raped again'
A Metropolitan Police detective, who was raped by a fellow officer, has told the BBC that Scotland Yard's handling of her case was "like being raped all over again". Det Con Linda Williams was attacked in 2004 by PC David Carrick - a serial abuser jailed for life in 2023 for sexual offences against her and 11 other women. Linda has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the attack and sought damages from the Met for failing to protect her from Carrick.
Met needs to move away from criminalising sex workers, officers say after Levy failings
The force is piloting a two-officer female team in north London to engage with street sex workers, in a bid to improve trust. The Met need to move away from criminalising women involved in street sex work in the wake of the Simon Levy case, officers have told the BBC. Levy, a convicted sex offender, was left to kill two women and rape another - all of whom were vulnerable and sometimes engaged in street sex work - due to a series of failings, including by the force.
Bid to overturn ruling which stops police being sued for failings
Backbench MPs are seeking to roll back a court ruling they say will have "devastating consequences" for victims of crime by preventing them taking legal action against the police, even when there have been grave investigative failings. The 2025 Court of Appeal judgment, which applies to England and Wales, held that police officers are immune from civil litigation both in their role as witnesses, and for conduct or statements they make when carrying out criminal investigations.
Prisoner took his own life after terror order had 'substantial impact' on mental state, inquest finds
A prisoner took his own life after strict terrorism control measures imposed by the government had a "substantial impact" on his mental state, an inquest jury has concluded. Akhtar Uddin, 35, a builder from east London, died in HMP Wandsworth on Christmas Day 2021 after being jailed the previous year for breaching Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM). The jury at Inner West London Coroner's Court also found the prison service had failed to provide the support that Uddin needed.
MI5 accepts it gave evidence based on lies in neo-Nazi spy case
The security service has accepted it gave evidence based on lies to three courts and that senior MI5 officers were repeatedly dishonest. It is the first time MI5 has accepted that lies were told to the courts and confirms the BBC's revelation about what happened. The lies were revealed in February 2025, which the security service then vehemently denied. Timothy Otty KC, representing MI5, announced the position during a High Court hearing in London on Friday.
MI5 accepts it gave evidence based on lies in neo-Nazi spy case
The case centres around a BBC investigation over how an MI5 agent used his role to abuse his girlfriend The security service has accepted it gave evidence based on lies to three courts and that senior MI5 officers were repeatedly dishonest. It is the first time MI5 has accepted that lies were told to the courts while defending a violent neo-Nazi spy whose abuse was uncovered by the BBC. The lies were revealed by the BBC in February 2025, which the security service then vehemently denied.
MI5 accepts it gave evidence based on lies in neo-Nazi spy case
A year after Heaton Park, I’m not so sure this government has the back of British Jews Yom Kippur is looming, but this year it doesn’t feel the same. After the Heaton Park attack in Manchester this time last year, many British Jews will …
Ukrainian guilty of vandalism at mosques linked to Russian network behind Starmer arson attack
A Ukrainian man has pleaded guilty to spraying abusive graffiti on mosques in east London, in a case linked to the Russian state network behind arson attacks against the former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Illia Bilyk, 21, entered guilty pleas at Thames Magistrates' Court to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage. Bilyk sprayed graffiti on the Stratford Islamic Association, Al-Birr Mosque and Leyton Jamia Masjid on 23 January 2025.
Ukrainian guilty of vandalism at mosques linked to Russian network behind Starmer arson attack
Ukrainian Illia Bilyk, 21, pleaded guilty to carrying out a string of vandalism attacks in London A Ukrainian man has pleaded guilty to spraying abusive graffiti on mosques in east London, in a case linked to the Russian state network behind arson attacks against the former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Illia Bilyk, 21, entered guilty pleas at Thames Magistrates' Court to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage.
Families describe 'unimaginable loss' caused by killer and rapist Simon Levy
The families of two murder victims and a rape survivor have described the impact double killer and rapist Simon Levy has had on their lives and the "unimaginable loss" he has caused. The 40-year-old was jailed for life on Wednesday for killing Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins five months later. Earlier that year, he raped a third woman in the same Tottenham car park where Wilkins was later found dead.
Met chief accepts mistakes made over Simon Levy but defends investigation into murders
The head of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley has defended the force's investigation into double murderer Simon Levy. Levy was on bail and being monitored by police when he murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins five months later, as well as violently raping a third woman.
Met chief accepts mistakes made over Simon Levy but defends investigation into murders
The head of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley has defended the force's investigation into double murderer Simon Levy. Levy was on bail and being monitored by police when he murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins five months later, as well as violently raping a third woman.
Double killer and rapist given whole life sentence
Daniel De Simone - Investigations correspondent; James W Kelly - London Wed 12 August 2026 at 2:00 pm UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Simon Levy, from Tottenham, was being monitored by police [BBC] A serial sex attacker who had a "morbid fascination" with sex has been jailed for the rest of his life after he was found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third.
Double killer and rapist given whole life sentence
Simon Levy, from Tottenham, was being monitored by police A serial sex attacker who had a "morbid fascination" with sex has been jailed for the rest of his life after he was found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third. Simon Levy, 40, killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins five months later. Earlier that year, he raped a third woman in the same Tottenham car park where Wilkins was later found dead.
Woman assaulted by double murderer says nightmare became 'real life' when police let him attack again
A woman who was attacked by double murderer Simon Levy eight years ago has told the BBC the police made her nightmare into "real life" by letting him go on to kill and attack more women. Laura, whose surname we are not using, said she had been trying to protect other women by reporting Levy in 2018, but feels betrayed by what he was later allowed to do after being released from jail.
How police left a registered sex offender free to murder and attack women
Warning: Contains graphic details of sexual offences A convicted sex offender murdered two women, raped a third, and sexually assaulted others on public transport, after police, prosecutors and courts made a series of disastrous decisions that left him free to roam the streets. A jury at the Old Bailey has now found Simon Levy guilty of the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in London last year - and also the violent rape of another woman in a car park.
Serial sex offender guilty of double murder and rape
A serial sex offender who was being monitored by the Metropolitan Police has been found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third in London. Simon Levy killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins five months later. The 40-year-old also raped a third woman in January 2025, before the murders, in the same Tottenham car park where Ms Wilkins was later found dead.
Serial sex offender Simon Levy guilty of double murder and rape
2 hours ago A serial sex offender who was being monitored by the Metropolitan Police has been found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third in London. Simon Levy killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins five months later. The 40-year-old also raped a third …
MI5 court evidence based on lies, report says
MI5 gave evidence based on "lies" to three courts while defending a violent neo-Nazi spy whose abuse was uncovered by the BBC, a damning official report has found. The report, by the deputy investigatory powers commissioner Sir John Goldring, heavily criticises a series of senior MI5 figures and their organisation. He finds that one senior MI5 officer lied repeatedly, while another misled his own colleagues and lied about what he was told.
Police say Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack' as motive investigated
Anne Widdecombe was killed in a "targeted attack" and detectives are still working to understand the motive, police have said. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the appearance of the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman on Talk TV on the morning she was killed at her home in Devon is being looked into as part of the investigation.
Police say Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack' as motive investigated
Anne Widdecombe was killed in a "targeted attack" and detectives are still working to understand the motive, police have said. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the appearance of the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman on Talk TV on the morning she was killed at her home in Devon is being looked into as part of the investigation.
Government offers to meet woman abused by neo-Nazi MI5 agent
Follow Government offers to meet woman abused by neo-Nazi MI5 agent Daniel De Simone - Investigations correspondent Wed, July 8, 2026 at 6:19 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The government will arrange a meeting with a woman who was coercively controlled by a violent MI5 agent, the deputy prime minister has said.
Government offers to meet woman abused by neo-Nazi MI5 agent
Hillsborough Law could return to Parliament 'in days' The Hillsborough Law is likely to return to Parliament before the summer break, David Lammy has said, as he came under pressure to ensure the …
MI5 knew agent was misogynist 'obsessed' with violence, watchdog finds
A secret inquiry by MI5's watchdog concluded the security service knew an abusive agent it defended in court was a misogynist who was "obsessed" with violence, the BBC can reveal. The inquiry took place after BBC News originally exposed how MI5 had covered up for the man - a neo-Nazi informant known publicly as Agent X.
Double murder accused is sex offender, jury told
A man accused of murdering two women in London and raping a third is a serial sex offender, the Old Bailey has heard. Simon Levy, 40, from Tottenham, north London, is accused of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 54, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39 and raping and attacking a third woman - charges he denies. At the start of his trial on Monday, the court heard Levy had been convicted of some 13 sexual assaults committed since July 2018.
Murder accused targeted vulnerable women, jury told
Follow Murder accused targeted vulnerable women, jury told Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins died in March and August respectively [Met Police] A man murdered two women and raped another in a "series of predatory sexual attacks" in London last year, a court has heard. Simon Levy, 40, from Tottenham, north London, denies murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 54, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39. He also denies raping and attacking a third woman, who is still alive.
Two men jailed over Starmer-linked arson attacks
Two men have been jailed for conspiring to carry out arson attacks targeting property and a car connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych 22, was jailed for seven years while Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at the Old Bailey. The attacks were ordered on behalf of Russia, the BBC has revealed.
Two men jailed over Starmer-linked arson attacks
Daniel De Simone - Investigations correspondent; Dan Sales Fri, June 19, 2026 at 12:42 p.m. UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Stanislav Carpiuc and Roman Lavrynovych [Counter Terrorism Policing/PA] Two men have been jailed for conspiring to carry out arson attacks targeting property and a car connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Nga đứng sau các vụ phóng hỏa nhằm vào Thủ tướng Anh, theo điều tra của BBC
Chụp lại hình ảnh, Các vụ phóng hỏa nhằm vào các tài sản liên quan đến Thủ tướng Keir Starmer là một phần của một chiến dịch do Nga thực hiện, theo điều tra của BBC Tác giả, Daniel De Simone Tác giả, Tom Beal và Tác giả, Olga Malchevska Vai trò, BBC News Điều tra và BBC Panorama Được đăng 52 phút trước Thời gian đọc: 23 phút Ngay cả sau khi phóng hỏa ngôi nhà của Thủ tướng Anh Keir Starmer, Roman Lavrynovych – người bị kết án hôm 15/6 vì âm mưu thực hiện hành vi phóng hỏa – dường như không hề...
İngiltere Başbakanı'nı hedef alan saldırıların arkasındaki karmaşık Rusya bağlantısı
Fotoğraf altı yazısı, BBC'nin ulaştığı bulgulara göre, Sir Keir Starmer ile bağlantılı mülkleri hedef alan kundaklama saldırılarının arkasında Rusya'nın yürüttüğü bir kampanya vardı Haber bilgisi Yazan, Daniel De Simone Yazan, Tom Beal ve Yazan, Olga Malchevska Unvan, BBC News ve BBC Panorama Yayın tarihi bir saat önce Okuma süresi 15 dk İngiltere'de Başbakan Sir Keir Starmer ile bağlantılı mülklere yönelik kundaklama saldırılarına ilişkin yürütülen soruşturma kapsamında Roman Lavrynovych...
Russia was behind arson attacks targeting PM, BBC reveals
Daniel De Simone; Tom Beal; Olga Malchevska - BBC News Investigations and BBC Panorama Mon, June 15, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC 18 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Fires targeting properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer were part of a Russian campaign, the BBC has found [BBC] Even after Roman Lavrynovych set fire to Sir Keir Starmer's house, he seemed to know as much about the prime minister as a bullet knows about its target.
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