The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (Ipco) has issued a formal reprimand to MI5 for its handling of a neo-Nazi informant, known only as agent X, who exploited his role with the agency to threaten his girlfriend with a machete. Ipco's review, published on Thursday, found that MI5's management of agent X 'fell far below the standards the public, the courts and Ipco have every right to expect,' according to Brian Leveson, the investigatory powers commissioner.
MI5's misleading statements
MI5 initially confirmed to the BBC that agent X was an informant but later adopted a 'neither confirm nor deny' stance during court proceedings, a standard form of 'no comment.' This contradicted earlier admissions and hindered the legal efforts of Beth, agent X's girlfriend, who sought to bring complaints against MI5 after he attacked her with a machete. Ipco stated that 'failings of candour undermine the entire basis of oversight and accountability.'
Background of agent X
Agent X, a foreign national involved in neo-Nazi movements, was recruited by MI5 before 2019. He came under investigation by BBC reporter Daniel De Simone, who contacted him about reporting on his extremist activities. Fearing for X's safety, MI5 officers tried to suppress the BBC report by claiming X was 'not a real extremist, but was pretending to be so at the behest of MI5.' One MI5 official, Officer 2, confirmed to De Simone that X was an informant, but later denied doing so, leading to further confusion.
Legal battles and consequences
The BBC eventually won a court case in February 2022 to publish the story about agent X's threats, leading to further legal action from Beth. MI5 continued to refuse public comment until the BBC corrected the record. Ipco described MI5's response as 'wholly misleading and flawed.' The case prompted the Hillsborough law, which cleared the Commons this week, extending a duty of candour to individual MI5 officers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Ipco report 'outlines a series of failings both individually and organisationally within MI5 that led to false evidence being included in its witness statements.'
Apologies and ongoing scrutiny
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum apologized for the agency's failings of candour, repeating apologies to the courts for 'the incorrect evidence that was provided and for our slowness in recognising what had happened.' He also apologized to Beth, who 'suffered additional distress.' The High Court and Investigatory Powers Tribunal are now considering further action against MI5.
