Spying accused 'used black magic'

Daniel James (left) was a translator for Gen Sir David Richards

A former British Army interpreter who is accused of spying for Iran was a Cuban black magic priest, he has told the Old Bailey.

Daniel James, who worked for Britain's top general in Afghanistan, General David Richards, said he carried out black magic against the Taleban.

Mr James also said he was chosen by presenter Jonathan Ross to salsa dance on a television programme.

He denies misconduct in public office and two Official Secrets Act charges.

Mr James is alleged to have betrayed Britain and passed coded messages to the Iranian military attache in Kabul.

I actually did black magic for General Richards to protect him from the Taleban Daniel James

The 45-year-old from Brighton, who was called up as a Territorial Army reservist in March 2006, denies communicating and collecting information useful to an enemy, under the Official Secrets Act, as well as wilful misconduct in public office.

The Iranian-born salsa dance instructor worked as an interpreter to Gen Richards, head of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in the country.

Mr James, who was giving evidence in his defence, told the Old Bailey he carried out a Yoruba ceremony to protect his boss from the Taleban.

He said he had previously travelled to Cuba where he became interested in the native Yoruba religion and became a priest.

"I actually did black magic for General Richards to protect him from the Taleban. Black magic is not bad," he told the court.

Mr James said the general was not present when the ceremony was conducted, but he used a picture of him instead.

Mr James also said that while based in Kabul he organised salsa lessons, Spanish classes, volleyball, cricket, football, women's football and Latin parties.

He said he played a key role liaising with officials on behalf of Gen Richards and his team, including booking a football pitch owned by the Afghans at short notice for the arrival of Tony Blair's helicopter.

Television offer

He also told the court of his early life, as the sixth of nine children born to an estate agent father in Tehran before he moved to Britain at the age of 15.

Mr James left fee-paying St Mary's College in Brighton without any qualifications. He later became interested in sports and martial arts.

He also said he had worked as head of security at Brighton's Palace Pier, and had been a body builder, kick boxer, and power lifter before moving into salsa dancing.

He told the court that he was approached by Jonathan Ross in 1986 in relation to his dancing.

Mr James said: "He came and approached me and said, 'I want you to dance on a programme called Solid Soul'."

He added that he would travel to London every Friday to appear on the Channel 4 programme.

'King of salsa'

The court also heard how Mr James gave nightly salsa lessons to hundreds of people at a venue called Club New York, which he dubbed "capital of salsa".

The corporal said he became known as "Danny James, king of salsa".

He said he was promised promotion to sergeant by Gen Richards but did not get it.

He said he became known as "General James" as a joke, after he returned from a tailor carrying his boss's three-star military insignia.

Mr James was asked about his behaviour while interpreting for Gen Richards. It had been claimed he had acted as though he was a general himself.

He said: "I think the audience didn't understand General Richards so they were watching me, so I thought I should act like a general."

The trial continues.