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MI5 and chief Ken McCallum are spared contempt proceedings despite admitting false evidence to three courts over a neo-Nazi agent

Sir Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, whose agency's trust with courts "now needs to be re-earned" after judges declined to pursue contempt proceedings.
Sir Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, whose agency's trust with courts "now needs to be re-earned" after judges declined to pursue contempt proceedings.

Senior High Court judges ruled it would not be "in the public interest" to pursue contempt proceedings against MI5, finding the matter too complex for the court and better suited to a police investigation. Individual officers could still face charges of misconduct in public office or perverting the course of justice, with the Crown Prosecution Service to decide. Sir Ken McCallum admitted the agency's confidence with courts "needs to be re-earned" after spies lied about a violent neo-Nazi informant who threatened his partner, known as Beth, with a machete.

The false evidence blocked a BBC documentary exposing Agent X, a right-wing extremist who allegedly abused two women, for three years.

An independent inquiry by Sir John Goldring found one officer, known as Officer 2, repeatedly lied, while another misled colleagues — both deny dishonest conduct.

Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr warned that proceedings would merely 'duplicate' findings already established by the independent investigation.

MoreDaily MailMI5 will not face contempt of court proceedings, High Cout rulesThe TelegraphMI5 will not face contempt proceedings over neo-Nazi case - The TelegraphBBC NewsMI5 will not face contempt of court charges despite admitting its evidence was a lieEvening StandardMI5 spared legal action after false evidence given to three courtsAOL News UKUK spy bosses humiliated as MI5 forced to issue grovelling apologyEvening StandardMI5 and chief Ken McCallum will not face contempt proceedings, High Court rulesThe Daily Dazzling DawnMI5 Avoids Contempt Proceedings Despite Admitting False Evidence to Three Courts - The Daily Dazzling DawnTelegraph and ArgusMI5 spared legal action after false evidence given to three courts - Telegraph and Argus
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