Former soldier charged with spying for China found dead

A former British soldier charged with spying for the Hong Kong intelligence service has been found dead in a park west of London.

The body of Matthew Trickett was discovered by a member of the public in the park at Maidenhead, Berkshire, about 60km from the centre of the UK capital, the BBC reports.

The British government immigration officer was last week charged with helping the Hong Kong intelligence service under the UK National Security Act.

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Police were called to the park late on Sunday afternoon and gave Trickett emergency treatment but he died at the scene.

His death is being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course, officers said.

On Tuesday, a black forensics tent was erected in the park and the area was cordoned off by police.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the park on Sunday afternoon to come forward if they have any information.

In a statement, Trickett's family said they were "mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member".

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Trickett served in the British military's Royal Marine regiment before he joined the Home Office, the UK government ministry responsible for immigration.

He was also the director of a security company.

In a statement, Trickett's family said they were "mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member".

He and two other men are accused of agreeing to gather information and carry out surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service.

They are also accused of forcing entry into a UK home earlier this month.

The three men had not entered pleas and were due to appear in court this Friday.