By Ben Kerrigan-
British politicians are split over the warning from Scotland Yard not to interfere with press freedom after the Met police issued out a warning to the media against publishing leaked diplomatic memos. The warning followed the leak of confidential memos to the press that led to the resignation of former U.S ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch.
No sooner than police announced a criminal investigation, politicians came out to condemn the threats of prosecution issued by Met Police Chief, Neil Basu. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said publishing the emails could be a criminal offence. Mr Basu said that whilst police “respect the rights of the media and has no intention of seeking to prevent editors from publishing stories in the public interest in a liberal democracy”. Boris Johnson said that stopping newspapers printing such documents would represent “an infringement on press freedom and have a chilling effect on public debate”.
His rival, Jeremy Hunt, (pictured)tweeted that the leaks had “damaged UK/US relations and cost a loyal ambassador his job, so the person responsible must be held fully to account. However, Hunt said he defends ” the right of the press to publish those leaks if they receive them and judge them to be in the public interest: that is their job.”
However, Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the leaks were “clearly a breach of confidence”, insisting the leaked information to have been one which should have been maintained as private. ”That has not happened and so the police have been involved and I think that is a normal process.” he said: “Freedom of the press is vital, of course. There are rules around that and there are considerable protections for journalists who do reveal things and that, of course, is the right thing to do.”
Jeremy Corbyn says leaks were breach of confidence
Michael Fallon, the former defence secretary who is backing Johnson, had earlier said that anyone “receiving stolen material … should give it back to the rightful owner and should be aware of the huge damage done and potential greater damage by further breaches of the Official Secrets Act.” However. media editors attacked the announcement by the police chief, rebuking him for his public warning against the leaks.
ILL ADVISED
Media editors were quick to condemn the instructions from the Met Police. George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard, described Mr Basu’s comments as “very stupid and ill-advised” and said the officer “doesn’t appear to understand much about press freedom”. He warned there would be “calls for resignations” unless Met commissioner Cressida Dick made it clear journalists would not face prosecution. Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times, added to the cry against threats of criminal prosecutions to journalists. He condemned Scotland Yard’s “sinister, absurd, anti-democratic statement”. He tweeted the force: “Do you have any comprehension of a free society? This isn’t Russia.”
Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis supported Mr Shipman’s position saying he was “spot on”. He added that: “A free press is vital for our country and our democracy. It challenges and enlightens us … Sad this point has to be made at all.” Former culture secretary, John Whittingdale said: “The idea of prosecuting journalists is completely wrong.
Mr Basu said he was satisfied the leak had damaged UK international relations and added that there was a “clear public interest” in bringing those responsible to justice. Mr. Busu advised individuals and the media not to publish leaked government documents and to instead hand them over to the police or return them to their rightful owner.
GUILTY
The Official Secrets Acts states that a person can be guilty of an offence if they make a “damaging disclosure of any information or document” relating to security or intelligence of which they are in possession. A person does not have to officially “sign” the Official Secrets Act to be bound by it. The 1989 Act says a person can simply be “notified” that it applies to them – for example, in a government employee’s contract. The law is strictest for those working for the security and intelligence services, past and present. Any unauthorised disclosure – under any circumstances – is a criminal offence.