X MI5 SPY: Do Mr and Mrs Banks have something to tell us?

Back in 2010, Arron Bank’s Russian wife Katya had the ability to generate more press than the eccentric Brexit backer. Formerly known as Ekaterina Paderina, Katya made headlines when she was dragged into Mike Hancock’s ‘Russian spy’ scandal.

At the time the former Liberal Democrat MP faced questions over his Russian parliamentary aide Katia Zatuliveter — who MI5 suspected of espionage — it was revealed that Hancock was suspected of helping Katya remain in Britain when she experienced Visa issues. Banks later revealed that when a journalist had asked his wife if she had ever had any contact with MI5, she replied: ‘I have never shopped in MFI’.

So, Mr S was amused to see the number plate that adorns one of Banks’ more feminine looking vehicles. Andy Wigmore — the head of comms for Leave.EU — tweeted a photo of the vehicle to highlight an independence day bumper sticker. However, it’s the ‘X MI5 SPY’ number plate which proves to be the most eye-catching:

Independence Day 23rd June bumper sticker as seen on @Arron_banks