A worker involved in the Hinkley Point C nuclear project found himself under investigation for potentially espionage-related activities after returning from Russia.
Mario Zadra, a 67-year-old Italian national, had worked on the significant nuclear power project between 2020 and 2023.
Upon his return to the UK on April 12, 2023, authorities quickly moved to question him.
The Discovery of Sensitive Documents
Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, Zadra was met by counter-terrorism police, who had reason to believe he might be involved in hostile activities.
Reports suggest that sensitive documents were discovered in his possession, prompting the authorities to seize them.
They took the documents to prevent any potential use in hostile actions.
The police were operating under Schedule Three, a law that allows for the search, questioning, and detention of individuals suspected of being involved in activities that threaten national security.
Hinkley Point C’s Sensitive Role
Hinkley Point C, where Zadra had worked, is a major project currently constructing two new nuclear reactors, which will generate zero-carbon electricity to power millions of homes.
The project carries a hefty price tag of £46 billion.
It is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the UK, so any potential threats related to it are taken very seriously by authorities.
Disciplinary Action and Legal Settlement
Following the investigation, Zadra was dismissed by his employer, Alten Ltd, a contractor for EDF working on the Hinkley Point C project.
His dismissal came after his increasingly disruptive and inappropriate behavior at work.
In the aftermath, Zadra filed for an employment tribunal and was awarded over £37,000 as part of a legal settlement.
No Charges, But Security Measures Remain Tight
Though Zadra was not charged with any offense, the investigation did raise concerns regarding national security.
Counter-terrorism police kept his hard drives for further examination.
A spokesperson for Hinkley Point C confirmed that they take information security very seriously and clarified that Zadra did not have access to sensitive nuclear information.
They emphasized that the documents he had removed were outdated and posed no real threat.
Ongoing Questions and Investigations
At this point, no further updates on the investigation have been provided by the Metropolitan Police or the Home Office.
However, the situation highlights ongoing concerns about security in sensitive infrastructure projects and the thorough measures in place to ensure that national security is not compromised.
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