Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Blair says there is no evidence that should cause a leak inquiry

When asked if to confirm there was a leak inquiry in progress today into deliberate leaks of classified information related to anti terror operations, Tony Blair declined to confirm.

He seemed to want evidence.

Evidence of what exactly? We know that information has been leaked, we know it should not have been. We know it interfered with a police investigation! What we do not know is who released the information, and the only way we are going to find out is to investigate. Looks like Tony is trying to avoid yet another investigation.

I did listen to a Labour MP, and member of the Home Affairs committee (and apparently ex Home Office minister) bluster about how a leak inquiry was inappropriate as the leak was criminal. Does she really want another criminal investigation that could lead to the heart of government? That would be fun.

Meanwhile tomorrows Guardian will be running a story speculating that it was either one of John Reid's SpAd's or someone in Scotland Yard. We know that SpAd's have form for this kind of thing and we know that the Met has its issues, so it could be either.

What is clear is that we need to find who is responsible, and should have been looking for them as soon as the leak happened.

The BBC has this.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well this government seems happy to investigate when the government is leaked against internally!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/6591955.stm
This incident could have had serious consequences for all concerned, I am surprised that Blair has refused to hold an enquiry, in fact in light of the strong criticism from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke it is even more vital that we have one.

Benedict White said...

ChrisD, I think the difference is leaks they like, and leaks they don't.

Yes I was aware of that, and should have compared and contrasted. Many thanks for raising it.

I am not surprised Blair has not called for one, that is what I expect of him.