 The father of suspected Russian spy Katia Zatuliveter claimed today that the decision to allow former MI5 chief Sir Stephen Lander to be one of three panelists deciding on her deportation makes a mockery of British justice.
He also alleged officials have made behind-the-scenes moves to "save face", in a desperate attempt to persuade the former parliamentary aide to return to Russia and avoid the need for a tribunal to decide her fate.
Ms Zatuliveter began working for Lib-Dem MP Mike Hancock in 2008 as an unpaid intern. She was arrested last year after claims she was linked to another person suspected of working for the Russian intelligence agency.
While the 26-year-old is banned from speaking on the Lander decision by the terms of her bail, her father Andrey said: "She rightly demanded one of the judges to be called off the case. He is former MI5.
"It is completely beyond me how in a democratic country the judge and the prosecution can be from one and the same side.
"Her team's appeal on this has been refused. What can I say? It's beyond words. It must be unacceptable to have people who accuse, and those who judge, to be from the same camp."
Mr Zatuliveter, a businessman, claimed the deportation process had been stacked against his daughter. Her father insists she has no links to SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence service.
"Of course I've got my explanation of why it's taking so long. It's as clear as day. They have got nothing against her, no evidence, and they hoped that the extra time could help them find something, suddenly.
"Secondly, they hoped she would just leave the country. This is what they really hoped for. She has been getting strong hints that it was a great idea for her to depart.
"But one can only imagine what happens if she actually leaves. They will shower her in dirt. This is why she is staying in the UK and waiting for her day in court."
Speaking from the family home in southern Russia, he said: "They knew from the beginning that they've got themselves into a difficult situation.
"Still, our family is hoping her hearing will go normally despite all this.
"I do believe in the decency of the others who will be judging her. Let's see what happens on October 18."
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