A High Court judge has found that MI5 provided false evidence to three courts concerning its handling of a neo-Nazi informant, who is alleged to have attacked his partner. The judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, stated that the evidence was 'not just misleading, it was false', though an investigation is underway to determine if the falsehood was deliberate.
The case stems from a BBC investigation into a foreign-born agent used by MI5, whose partner, known only as Beth, says he used his intelligence status to claim he was above the law. She alleges he attacked her with a machete and psychologically traumatised her. MI5 had previously argued that its policy of neither confirming nor denying an individual's status as an agent prevented it from discussing the case.
The government has now ordered two inquiries: one internal to MI5 and an independent review led by Sir Jonathan Jones, former head of the government legal service. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was 'a very serious matter to provide incorrect information to the court' and that MI5 had apologised. She emphasised the importance of covert agents but acknowledged the need for accountability.
The revelations led to a rare public apology from MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, who said the service had provided incorrect information to the High Court and had taken immediate steps to correct it. Meanwhile, the BBC has accused MI5 of lying and attempting to pressure the broadcaster into dropping the story, with a recorded call allegedly showing a senior MI5 officer breaking policy to influence coverage.
Beth's solicitor, Kate Ellis of the Centre for Women's Justice, expressed concern that the truth only emerged due to a secret recording by the BBC, and that MI5 had misled courts over several years, depriving her client of answers. The judge's ruling has cast a spotlight on MI5's handling of covert human intelligence sources and its obligations to the courts.
