Key facts
- MI5 has accepted it provided evidence based on lies to three courts.
- The security service acknowledged systemic failures and dishonesty within its ranks.
- A report by Sir John Goldring concluded MI5 gave evidence based on 'lies' while defending a neo-Nazi spy.
- Senior MI5 officers, referred to as Officer 2 and Officer 3, were found to have lied or misled colleagues.
- MI5 is facing potential contempt of court proceedings initiated by senior judges.
- The case involves an MI5 informant, Agent X, who allegedly abused his partner, Beth, and was helped by MI5 to go abroad.
The UK's domestic security service, MI5, has admitted to providing false evidence to three courts in a case involving a neo-Nazi informant, marking the first time the agency has acknowledged such dishonesty. The admission came during a High Court hearing on Friday, where Timothy Otty KC, representing MI5, stated the service "accepts without reservation" the findings of a July report by Sir John Goldring. This report detailed "serious and systemic failures in MI5's conduct" and found that senior officers, including one known as Officer 2, lied repeatedly, while another, Officer 3, misled colleagues and lied about information received.
The case centers on an informant codenamed Agent X, described as a foreign neo-Nazi and misogynist, who allegedly used his role to abuse his partner, Beth, including an attack with a machete. MI5 reportedly helped Agent X travel abroad while under police investigation. The security service had previously attempted to block a BBC investigation into Agent X and maintained a "neither confirm nor deny" (NCND) policy regarding his agent status, even in sworn statements to the courts. However, the BBC presented evidence, including a recording, proving MI5 had disclosed Agent X's status to the journalist in 2020, contradicting their sworn statements.
A panel of three senior judges, including Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, is now considering whether to initiate unprecedented contempt of court proceedings against MI5 or its officers. Otty argued against such proceedings, highlighting the Goldring investigation, MI5's apologies, and its commitment to reforms under Director General Sir Ken McCallum. Officer 2 has resigned, and Officer 3 faces disciplinary action. The court will hear further submissions from barristers representing the BBC and Officers 2 and 3.