Key facts
- MI5's watchdog, IPCO, found the security service knew Agent X was misogynistic and obsessed with violence.
- Agent X attacked his girlfriend with a machete and coercively controlled her.
- MI5 failed to adequately review Agent X's suitability as an agent despite knowing about his interest in extreme violence.
- MI5 misled IPCO and provided false evidence to courts regarding Agent X.
- The government has now accepted the abuse suffered by Agent X's former partner, Beth.
- MI5 paid compensation to Beth to settle a human rights claim.
A secret inquiry by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) has concluded that the UK's domestic security service, MI5, was aware that an abusive agent it employed, known publicly as Agent X, was a misogynist with an "obsession" with violence. The inquiry was launched after the BBC exposed MI5's cover-up of Agent X's actions, which included coercively controlling his then-girlfriend, Beth, and attacking her with a machete.
IPCO found "strong indications" of Agent X's interest in violence, including video footage of the machete attack, did not prompt an MI5 review of his suitability as an agent, which the watchdog stated "should have done." The report also noted that Agent X was "openly misogynistic" with his handlers and involved in a "pick up artistry" movement, but this "did not attract much attention." IPCO identified a "lack of sufficient professional curiosity" by MI5 regarding Agent X's behaviour.
Further compounding the issue, MI5 misled IPCO about its secrecy policies and provided false evidence to three courts concerning Agent X's status. An internal MI5 document revealed that an officer believed Agent X should never have been used as a covert human intelligence source. The government has now publicly accepted the abuse Beth suffered, having previously attempted to undermine her credibility in court. MI5 paid compensation to Beth earlier this year to settle a human rights claim, though it did not admit legal liability. MI5's director general apologized for distress caused by "mistakes in the litigation."