An Army interpreter accused of passing secret information to "the enemy" was today sent to the Old Bailey to stand trial.

Corporal Daniel James, 44, from Brighton, who is charged with an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911, appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The charge alleges that on November 2 this 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".

Senior District Judge Timothy Workman set the date of January 12 for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey after hearing arguments from the prosecution and Mr James's counsel.