'Devastated' not to be a British agent

Ex-soldier 'a patriot', trial told

- GEORGE LITHGOW and MARGARET DAVIS

THE former British soldier accused of spying for Iran was devastated to learn his Iranian heritage could stop him from working in army intelligence, his trial has heard.

Daniel Khalife yesterday told a jury that he believed he could utilise his background to further national security.

In court, Khalife, 23, said he was 17 when a troop commander said having an Iranian mother meant he would not pass the required security vetting.