MI5 court evidence based on lies, report says
An official report has found that MI5 provided false evidence to three courts regarding its 'neither confirm nor deny' policy concerning a violent neo-Nazi informant. The findings have led to severe criticism of the security service and potential legal consequences for those involved.
Why it matters
This report highlights a significant failure in institutional accountability and transparency within a major national security agency, raising questions about the integrity of the judicial process.
Image caption, Agent X had used his status to coercively control his then girlfriend, including attacking her with a machete
MI5 gave evidence based on "lies" to three courts while defending a violent neo-Nazi spy whose abuse was uncovered by the BBC, a damning official report has found.
The report, by the deputy investigatory powers commissioner Sir John Goldring, heavily criticises a series of senior MI5 figures and their organisation.
He finds that one senior MI5 officer lied repeatedly, while another misled his own colleagues and lied about what he was told.
The conclusions confirm the BBC's revelation in February last year that MI5 lied to the courts , something the security service vehemently denied.
Sir John's investigation was ordered by the prime minister in September after MI5's explanations about what happened were rejected as deficient and unreliable by the High Court.
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