New Tory chairman believes Russian spy tried to recruit him in pub

“I was very suspicious."

Greg Hands, Conservative Party chairman (PA)

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands has said he believes a Russian spy tried to recruit him over a pint of beer in a London pub.

The Cabinet minister said he met Alexander Kashitsyn – who he now thinks was a secret agent – at the Seven Stars pub in Fulham while he had been seeking election as Tory MP for the area almost 20 years ago.