MI5 accepts it gave dishonest evidence to three courts
MI5 has accepted for the first time that it gave evidence based on lies to three courts and that senior officers were repeatedly dishonest.
The Full Story
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MI5 has accepted for the first time that it gave evidence based on lies to three courts and that senior officers were repeatedly dishonest. The admission came during a High Court hearing on Tuesday, where judges are considering whether to bring contempt of court proceedings against the security service or individual officers.
The case stems from a BBC investigation into a neo-Nazi state informant, known as Agent X, who abused women. The agent used his role to coerce his then girlfriend, Beth, and attacked her with a machete. He told her he would kill her if she tried to leave, and that his handlers knew about the violence.
MI5 took the BBC to court four years ago to stop the investigation, and gave false evidence to three courts about having kept to its core secrecy policy regarding the man's state role. In fact, MI5 had disclosed the agent's status to the BBC during phone calls as it tried to persuade the broadcaster not to pursue the story.
Last year, the BBC exposed MI5's lies, which the organisation vehemently denied. This summer, an official report by Sir John Goldring found that MI5's evidence was based on a string of lies and that the organisation was riddled with systemic failings. The report said a senior MI5 officer repeatedly lied about what happened, and that another top officer misled colleagues, lied about what he was told, and bore considerable responsibility for the continuation of the falsehood.
During Tuesday's hearing, MI5 accepted the findings of the Goldring report. Its barrister argued against contempt of court proceedings, saying it was not in the public interest. Lawyers representing two MI5 officers who were found to have been dishonest also opposed such proceedings. However, barristers for the BBC and for Beth argued that contempt proceedings should be brought, and that the evidence test had been met.
It also emerged that one senior officer had resigned and another had been suspended. A decision on whether to bring contempt proceedings is expected at a later date. Whatever the outcome, the case has already forced MI5 to change how it gives evidence to courts, and has led to enhanced oversight and accountability.
MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has previously apologised for failings. He said to have the organisation justly criticised by the courts is an experience no serious leader ever wants. Tuesday's hearing marks a milestone moment for MI5, as it faces the possibility of criminal proceedings for lying to the courts.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| MI5 admitted last year to providing false evidence in a case it brought against the BBC. | ||
| Sir John Goldring's official report found MI5's evidence was based on lies and systemic failings. | ||
| The High Court could bring contempt of court proceedings against MI5 officers or the service itself. | ||
| Barristers for the BBC and for Beth argued that contempt of court proceedings should be brought. | · | |
| MI5's barrister argued against contempt of court proceedings, saying it was not in the public interest. | · | |
| One senior officer resigned and another was suspended. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on the High Court hearing as a milestone and detailed the admissions made by MI5, including the findings of the Goldring report. It included Beth's personal testimony and highlighted the role of the BBC's investigation in exposing the lies, while noting MI5's chief apology.
- “But the security service gave false evidence to three courts about having kept to its core secrecy policy about the man's state role.”
- “Last year, we exposed MI5's lies, something the organisation vehemently denied doing.”
- “The report said one senior MI5 officer repeatedly told lies about what happened, and these formed the foundation of MI5's false account to the courts.”
BBC One West provided extensive live coverage from the court, including arguments from all parties, and later highlighted the resignation and suspension of senior officers. It stressed the reputational damage to MI5 and its forced changes to policies, framing the case as a victory for public interest journalism.
- “The security service MI5 has accepted for the first time that it gave evidence based on lies to three courts and that its senior officers were repeatedly dishonest.”
- “We learned today that one senior officer has resigned, another has been suspended.”
- “This is enormously damaging and this case has had a major impact MI5 has had to change how it gives evidence to the courts”
Broadcast Timeline
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