An Army interpreter today appeared at the Old Bailey accused of passing secret information to the enemy.

Iranian-born Daniel James, 44, of Cliff Road, Brighton, faces a charge under the Official Secrets Act.

Today he appeared via videolink before Mr Justice Calvert-Smith for a brief preliminary hearing.

James, wearing a grey sweater and with greying swept-back hair, spoke only to confirm his name.

The Territorial Army soldier, who became a British citizen in 1986, is charged that on November 2 last year, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety of the state, he "communicated to another person information calculated to be, or that might be, or intended to be directly or indirectly useful to the enemy".

James, who speaks Farsi and Dari, was an interpreter for General David Richards, British Commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, and is accused of divulging secrets to Iran.

A plea and case management hearing is due to take place on July 13.