Judges decline contempt proceedings over MI5’s false evidence

Crime · First reported 3 Nov, 10:44 · Updated 10:58

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

Judges ruled that contempt proceedings against MI5 and two officers should not proceed, citing practical difficulties and the public interest. They said any further action against individual officers should follow a police investigation; the Home Office has not said whether it will refer the matter to police.

MI5 admitted giving false evidence to three courts about conversations with the BBC concerning Agent X.
The judges declined contempt proceedings, saying the case would be difficult for the court to manage and was not in the public interest.
The judges said police could investigate individual officers; the Home Office has not said whether it will refer the matter to them.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Courts affected: MI5 gave false evidence to three courts.
Ruling: Judges declined contempt proceedings against MI5 and its officers.
Possible next step: The judges said any further action against individual officers should follow a police investigation.
Investigation findings: The Goldring investigation found that one senior officer lied repeatedly and another misled colleagues and lied about what he was told.