MI5 Admits Providing False Evidence in BBC Legal Battle Over Neo-Nazi Informant

The Security Service apologized after misleading the High Court in efforts to block BBC reporting on an agent accused of domestic abuse and extremist ties.

MI5 admitted to providing false information to the High Court during a 2022 injunction case aimed at preventing the BBC from identifying an undercover informant accused of violent abuse and neo-Nazi affiliations.
The agent, referred to as 'X,' allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a machete, threatened her life, and possessed extremist materials; he has since left the UK and reportedly continued intelligence work abroad.
The BBC produced evidence, including a recorded phone call, contradicting MI5's claim of adhering to its 'neither confirm nor deny' policy regarding the agent's identity.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched an external investigation, led by Sir Jonathan Jones KC, into how MI5 came to mislead the court, with potential disciplinary actions pending.
MI5's director-general, Sir Ken McCallum, issued an unreserved apology and pledged to improve processes, while emphasizing the critical role of covert agents in national security.