Judges “irresponsible” in Binyam Mohamed case

December 14th, 2009

Lawyers for the foreign secretary, David Miliband have branded two senior judges “irresponsible” for wanting to disclose intelligence material related to allegations of torture involving the CIA and the UK’s alleged collusion. Jonathan Sumption QC, appearing for the foreign secretary, told the Court of Appeal the stance taken by High Court judges Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones could “seriously damage national security”.  The foreign secretary is appealing against six high court judgments ruling that CIA information on Mohamed’s treatment, and what MI5 and MI6 knew about it, must be disclosed. The appeal is being opposed by both Mr Mohamed and media organisations. The case resumes tomorrow and is due to last three days. Read more here

Anti-terror book blocked

July 3rd, 2009

A book by Britain’s former top counter-terrorism officer has been blocked from the shelves following an injunction by the Attorney General. Andy Hayman’s The Terrorist Hunters describes the fight against Islamist extremism from his inside perspective as Scotland Yard assistant commissioner. It has been reported that the book was also vetted by the Cabinet Office, MI5 and MI6 but an explanation for the injunction cannot be published for legal reasons.

Keeping it secret

June 11th, 2009

Tamsin Allen asks why a former intelligence agent is being denied the right to a fair hearing

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