MI5 false evidence was a serious failing, Cooper says

MI5 false evidence was a serious failing, Cooper says

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary overseeing the Security Service, acknowledged a “serious failing” on the part of MI5 for providing false evidence to multiple courts. This admission came following a High Court ruling that found MI5’s explanations for the false evidence to be insufficient and unreliable. Cooper stated that a “further, robust, and independent investigation” should be conducted in light of the court’s decision.

The High Court, comprised of three senior judges including Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, rejected two inquiries into the false evidence – one commissioned by Cooper and the other conducted internally by MI5. These reviews were initiated after revelations by the BBC regarding MI5’s deceit in court proceedings involving a neo-Nazi state agent who mistreated women. Despite the flawed reviews clearing MI5 of intentional misconduct, the High Court’s ruling deemed a new inquiry necessary under the guidance of Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir Brian Leveson.

In response to the court’s judgment, the Home Office declined to address inquiries regarding MI5’s director general of strategy, whose witness evidence was criticized for its unfairness and inaccuracy. Cooper expressed deep concerns over the incident and emphasized the need for improved internal processes within MI5. She instructed the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, to conduct an internal review of how evidence from MI5 should be prepared and presented in the future. Additionally, Cooper requested a comprehensive assessment of the broader issues highlighted by the case.

The case at hand, which began in 2022 aimed at preventing the BBC from publishing a story concerning a neo-Nazi agent named Agent X, exposed MI5’s deception in court proceedings. Agent X had utilized his position to intimidate his former girlfriend, publicly known as “Beth,” and had even resorted to violent attacks. The BBC’s evidence, including notes and phone call recordings with MI5, contradicted the security agency’s claims of never breaching its core secrecy policy. Cooper, addressing the seriousness of the matter, stressed the necessity of an independent evaluation of the case’s handling to ensure accountability and safeguarding measures within organizations

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