A former police officer has been stripped of his British citizenship due to national security concerns related to his ties with Russia. Mark Bullen, 45, who served with Hertfordshire Constabulary for over ten years, was detained at Luton airport in 2024 under suspicion of engaging in hostile activities for a foreign government. Bullen, who had a strong interest in Russia, had his electronic devices confiscated upon arrival in the UK from his current residence.
Having acquired a Russian passport in 2022, fulfilling a lifelong ambition, Bullen had his British citizenship revoked by Shabana Mahmood in October 2025, shortly after she assumed the role of Home Secretary. The decision to strip him of citizenship was based on grounds deemed to be in the public interest, with Mahmood cautioning against disclosing sensitive information for national security reasons.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Bullen had interactions with senior Russian officials during a police exchange program in St Petersburg and actively promoted pro-Kremlin and anti-Ukraine content on his social media platforms. He humorously mentioned that his fascination with the Soviet Union, dating back to his childhood, had led some acquaintances to jest about his possible espionage activities.
Having resided in Russia for nearly 12 years, Bullen now works in communications for Zenit St Petersburg, a prominent football club owned by Gazprom. He is married to a Russian woman and has four children, but he frequently visits the UK to see his British relatives. The London Metropolitan Police, responsible for handling cases involving hostile state activities, clarified the circumstances of Bullen’s questioning during his 2024 airport encounter.
A police spokesperson stated that Bullen, in his forties, was detained by counterterrorism officers at Luton airport in November 2024 under the Counterterrorism and Border Security Act for further examination of his digital devices after arriving from Turkey. Although no arrest was made, the incident was part of efforts to ensure national security.
The Home Office emphasized the use of citizenship deprivation as a measure to safeguard the UK from individuals engaging in terrorism or hostile state actions. A government representative stressed the seriousness of such decisions and the commitment to taking necessary steps to protect the country from potential threats.
