Meet Damien McElroy, Senior UAE secret Service, disguised as the National Journalist
The Emirati leaks have looked into classified files obtained by Eurosocpe for Middle Eastern Affairs suggesting that UAE secret service has formed up to 10 networks of intelligence experts and operatives across Europe and the US, disguised as Journalists. Networks include former politicians, academics and PR experts.
According to the files, Damien McElroy, the London Bureau Chief of Emirate newspaper, the national, tops the list of UAE spies operating in London and Europe. McElroy runs himself one of those networks and works directly with orders coming from Abu Dhabi.
The files discuss Damien McElroy’s work in details and show that he obtained more than $1.5 million between 2017-2019. The budget has been spent recruiting PR companies to whitewash UAE image and build a network of secret operatives in International NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
The files reveal how Damien McElroy offered to bribe senior human rights activists from the Middle East to join UAE Human rights network run by Ahmed Thani al Hamili.
The files also mention, “Damien McElroy was invited to a private meeting with Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi in Abu Dhabi. Audio records from the meeting show McElroy providing a brief of his work and recruiting journalists and assistants for UK MPs to work for him. He told Al Nuaimi, I have now up to 13 trusted persons across the UK, Europe and Washington who are working for us and doing serious work.”
Eurosocpe source told our website that McElroy is nothing but a spy hiding under a UAE newspaper cover in London. The organisation warned that McElroy is violating the UK laws by working as a spy for a foreign country on UK soil. He is now obtaining then transferring information from UK Parliament and government-related agencies to Abu Dhabi.
Previously, an assistant for UK Parliament member described McElroy as “shameless” and “impudent “as he tried to offer her a payment in return for her MP agreement to join a group working for Abu Dhabi.
“He invited him to join a delegation of journalists MPs to visit Abu Dhabi and meet Royal sheikhs with luxurious itinerary in 5-star hotels and resorts and Rolex watches as gifts. Off course we refused his effort, which is nothing but a stunt. He also invited me to be part of the group with other MPs and their assistants.”
Damien McElroy official biography at the National website reads, “a foreign correspondent who has covered politics and conflict across Europe, the Middle East, the US, Africa and Asia. Before joining The National in 2017 to oversee the London editorial operation, he worked for The Sunday Times and Telegraph titles as an editor and roving reporter. He started his career in China and has a degree in finance.”
