Dual British-Russian national deprived of UK Nationality on "public good" grounds
Mark Bullen, a 45-year-old British-born former police officer, has become the first British-born individual reported to have been stripped of UK citizenship on national security grounds linked to Russia. The decision was made by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in October 2025 under Section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, which permits deprivation of citizenship if the Home Secretary deems it “conducive to the public good.” The exact evidence has not been disclosed publicly, citing national security.
Background and Police Career Born and raised in
Bracknell, Berkshire, Bullen developed a lifelong fascination with Russia and
the Soviet Union from childhood, describing it as a “childhood love.” He is a
self-taught Russian speaker who first visited Russia at age 17–18 (around 1998–1999)
and briefly attempted to settle there before returning to the UK. He joined
Hertfordshire Constabulary around 2003 (serving 11 years until 2014) as a
police constable. During his service, he authored a training handbook on
Russian organised crime and prison tattoos, leveraging his language skills as
the force’s only Russian-speaking officer. He facilitated international police
exchanges, including a month-long attachment in St Petersburg in 2010 via the
International Police Association, hosted Russian officers in the UK, and met
senior Russian police figures. He received commendations and was named Officer
of the Year. In 2013, Special Branch questioned him for 90 minutes about his
frequent Russia trips and contacts.
Relocation to Russia Bullen left the police in 2014
following a disagreement with a superior. He relocated permanently to St
Petersburg, initially planning to write a book on Russian crime and teach
English. He was hired by Zenit St Petersburg football club (owned by Gazprom)
to manage English-language social media and communications. He married a
Russian woman, with whom he has four children, and acquired Russian citizenship
in 2022, calling it a “lifelong dream.” Until the COVID-19 pandemic and
subsequent travel restrictions, he visited the UK regularly to see family and
friends.
Citizenship Revocation Timeline In November 2024,
upon returning from Russia via Turkey, Bullen was detained for four hours at
Luton Airport by counter-terrorism officers under Schedule 3 of the
Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. His devices were seized, he was
questioned (including about the 2018 Salisbury poisonings), DNA and
fingerprints were taken, and he was released without charge or arrest. In
October 2025, he received a letter from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood formally
depriving him of British citizenship.
Though the Home Office did not officially publish the
letter, Mark Bullen publicly shared the letter online.
The Home Office has described citizenship deprivation as a
“vital tool” to protect against threats including terrorism, hostile state
activity, or serious organised crime, stating decisions are taken only when
necessary to keep the country safe. Bullen is reported to hold pro-Kremlin
views on social media.
Bullen’s Response Bullen has publicly expressed
shock, stating he was “completely shocked” and “absolutely” denies being any
threat to the UK, describing the action as “ridiculous,” an “overreaction,” and
lacking evidence. He has questioned the UK’s commitment to “freedom and
liberty” and indicated he has no immediate plans to return, being content with
his life, family, and work in Russia. He has shared the deprivation letter and
spoken to UK and Russian media.
Context UK citizenship deprivation powers have been
used sparingly, most notably in terrorism cases (e.g., Shamima Begum) or
suspected hostile state activity. Bullen’s case is unusual as it involves a
British-born former law-enforcement officer with no criminal charges. The Home
Office has not commented further on specifics. The matter has sparked
discussion about the scope of these powers amid UK-Russia tensions.
Statistics on deprivation of UK nationality
As of April 2026, the most recent comprehensive public
figure is at least 1,565 deprivation orders under Section 40 of the British
Nationality Act 1981 from 2010 to the end of 2024. These are the
official/aggregated statistics cited in the House of Commons Library research
briefing (updated 18 December 2025):
- Total
deprivation orders (2010–2024): At least 1,565.
- Fraud
/ false representation / concealment of material facts (Section 40(3)): 1,342
orders.
- Conducive
to the public good (national security, terrorism, serious crime, etc.)
(Section 40(2)): 223 orders.
The vast majority of these deprivations
have taken place in modern times. Between 1973 and 2006, no one was deprived
of British citizenship. Use of this power was negligible before 2010.
Deprivation on grounds of fraud has surged in recent years (e.g., 375 in 2024
alone), largely following a 2017 court ruling that expanded the Home Office’s
ability to act on concealed criminal records. Public-good cases remain far
fewer but include high-profile terrorism and hostile-state-activity matters.
Five well-known recent instances of deprivation on
grounds of “public good”:
1. Shamima Begum (2019) The most famous recent case.
Born in the UK to Bangladeshi parents, Begum travelled to Syria at age 15 to
join ISIS. Then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped her of British citizenship
on national security grounds. She has lost multiple appeals (including at the
Supreme Court and Court of Appeal). She remains in a detention camp in
north-east Syria and is now considered stateless.
2. Hilal al-Jedda (2007 and 2013) An Iraqi-born
naturalised British citizen and former refugee. Deprived of citizenship in 2007
while detained in Iraq on terrorism suspicions. The Supreme Court overturned
the first order in 2013 (ruling it would render him stateless). The Home
Secretary issued a second deprivation order weeks later. He lived in Turkey and
appealed further.
3. Abu Hamza (2003) Egyptian-born radical cleric
(full name Mustafa Kamel Mustafa). One of the earliest high-profile cases;
deprived while serving a prison sentence in the UK for incitement and other
offences. He successfully appealed the deprivation order and retained British
citizenship, though he was later convicted in the US on terrorism charges and
imprisoned there.
4. Mahdi Hashi (2012) British-born man of Somali
heritage. Stripped of citizenship by then-Home Secretary Theresa May on
national security grounds linked to alleged al-Shabaab involvement. He was
never charged in the UK, was rendered to the US, and later jailed there on terrorism
charges.
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