High Court declines to pursue contempt proceedings against MI5

Crime · First reported 3 Nov, 10:43 · Updated 11:01

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Rekia1991 · CC BY-SA 4.0

The High Court ruled that MI5, its director general Ken McCallum and individual officers will not face contempt proceedings over false evidence given to three courts. The judges said any potential criminal investigation should first be considered by police and prosecutors.

MI5 admitted that evidence it provided to three courts was false; the dispute arose from a 2022 bid to prevent the BBC identifying a covert source known as X.
The judges decided not to initiate contempt proceedings, saying police and prosecutors should first consider any potential criminal investigation.
The court said contempt proceedings were unlikely to add to findings in Sir John Goldring’s report, which documented serious failings at MI5.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Ruling: MI5, Ken McCallum and individual officers will not face contempt proceedings.
False evidence: MI5 admitted providing false evidence to three courts.
Underlying case: A 2022 court bid sought to prevent the BBC identifying a covert source known as X.
Next step noted by judges: Police and prosecutors should first consider any potential criminal investigation.