[7][1] In the 1980s, Maitland reported to MI5 an attempt by Yuri Sagaidak, a KGB agent posing as a journalist for Komsomolskaya Pravda, to recruit her.

[9][10] Maitland's political journey began in 1983 when she founded Women for Defence, a campaigning group established to counter protests against the deployment of American Cruise missiles on British soil.

[12] Its official launch on 28 March 1983, marked by a public meeting in Trafalgar Square, drew significant attention and recognition from U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

She later represented Sutton and Cheam as its MP from the 1992 general election until that of 1997, when the Conservative Party lost power, and she was defeated by Liberal Democrat Paul Burstow by 2,097 votes.

[8] In January 1997, during a debate in the House of Commons, Maitland described the suggestion of caning girls as "barbaric," expressing her opposition to the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools.

[19] In the lead-up to the 2001 general election, Maitland was featured in a BBC News article that detailed her efforts to regain the Sutton and Cheam seat, highlighting her campaign activities, including door-to-door canvassing and direct constituent engagement.

[8] Maitland has worked in security and governmental activities for over 35 years, focusing on business development in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.