This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7455286.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Tory criticism over files blunder | Tory criticism over files blunder |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Conservatives have accused the government of presiding over "a culture of carelessness" after a second set of sensitive papers was left on a train. | The Conservatives have accused the government of presiding over "a culture of carelessness" after a second set of sensitive papers was left on a train. |
| The files - on terrorist funding, drugs trafficking and money laundering - were handed to the Independent on Sunday. | The files - on terrorist funding, drugs trafficking and money laundering - were handed to the Independent on Sunday. |
| Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, shadow security spokesman, said those responsible for handling confidential information were "flouting" the rules. | Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, shadow security spokesman, said those responsible for handling confidential information were "flouting" the rules. |
| The foreign secretary told the BBC the incident was "completely inexcusable". | |
| David Miliband said: "The government takes all reports of security breaches extremely seriously. These sorts of lapses are completely inexcusable. | |
| "I know that this will be taken with the utmost seriousness and will be followed up to ensure that there isn't a further threat to the national interest." | |
| Earlier a Treasury spokesman said the government was "extremely concerned" about the lapse in security and would be "taking steps to ensure that it doesn't happen in the future". | |
| The documents, about a meeting of financial crime experts, apparently include briefing notes for a meeting of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to be held in 11 Downing Street next week. | The documents, about a meeting of financial crime experts, apparently include briefing notes for a meeting of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to be held in 11 Downing Street next week. |
| 'Flouting' the rules | 'Flouting' the rules |
| Dame Pauline said it was "yet another example of a lapse in discipline" by the government. | Dame Pauline said it was "yet another example of a lapse in discipline" by the government. |
| "I think it is a culture of carelessness," she said. | "I think it is a culture of carelessness," she said. |
| "People taking rules in departments - and all departments do have rules on the whole question of the protection of government information - not taking them seriously and flouting them." | "People taking rules in departments - and all departments do have rules on the whole question of the protection of government information - not taking them seriously and flouting them." |
| Dame Pauline called for greater controls to protect secret official information. It's frankly an appalling blow to the government's efforts to tackle financial flows underpinning both organised crime and terrorism Chris HuhneLib Dem home affairs spokesman Previous cases of missing data | Dame Pauline called for greater controls to protect secret official information. It's frankly an appalling blow to the government's efforts to tackle financial flows underpinning both organised crime and terrorism Chris HuhneLib Dem home affairs spokesman Previous cases of missing data |
| "We have to have much more long-term, independent governance and supervision and investigation of the custody of sensitive information. | "We have to have much more long-term, independent governance and supervision and investigation of the custody of sensitive information. |
| "In other words, we have to have people who are appointed by government who are trusted, who actually supervise the handling of government information inside the machinery of government on a daily basis." | "In other words, we have to have people who are appointed by government who are trusted, who actually supervise the handling of government information inside the machinery of government on a daily basis." |
| The new Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said there was "a systems failure going on". | The new Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said there was "a systems failure going on". |
| Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said the incident was "deeply embarrassing". | Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said the incident was "deeply embarrassing". |
| "It's frankly an appalling blow to the government's efforts to tackle financial flows underpinning both organised crime and terrorism and it really shows us up as the chair of international efforts to deal with this problem." | "It's frankly an appalling blow to the government's efforts to tackle financial flows underpinning both organised crime and terrorism and it really shows us up as the chair of international efforts to deal with this problem." |
| The papers were found on train bound for London Waterloo on 11 June, the same day that a batch of papers classified "UK Top Secret" and relating to intelligence assessments of Iraq and al-Qaeda, were handed to the BBC after being left by a senior official on a train. | The papers were found on train bound for London Waterloo on 11 June, the same day that a batch of papers classified "UK Top Secret" and relating to intelligence assessments of Iraq and al-Qaeda, were handed to the BBC after being left by a senior official on a train. |
| The Cabinet Office and the Metropolitan Police launched inquiries into the documents handed into the BBC - the latest in a series of blunders involving sensitive official information. | The Cabinet Office and the Metropolitan Police launched inquiries into the documents handed into the BBC - the latest in a series of blunders involving sensitive official information. |
| But Scotland Yard said it was not involved in investigating the latest case. | But Scotland Yard said it was not involved in investigating the latest case. |
| Keith Vaz said secret documents should not be taken out of the office | Keith Vaz said secret documents should not be taken out of the office |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will be asked to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee next week to explain whether the blunders could hamper the country's fight against terrorism. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will be asked to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee next week to explain whether the blunders could hamper the country's fight against terrorism. |
| Chairman of the committee Keith Vaz said: "Until the inquiry has been concluded and we are told how these extraordinary events occurred, no official, no matter how senior, should be allowed to take classified or confidential documents outside their offices for whatever reason." | Chairman of the committee Keith Vaz said: "Until the inquiry has been concluded and we are told how these extraordinary events occurred, no official, no matter how senior, should be allowed to take classified or confidential documents outside their offices for whatever reason." |
| Documents returned | Documents returned |
| The Independent on Sunday said it had returned the documents and would not be divulging any details contained in them. | The Independent on Sunday said it had returned the documents and would not be divulging any details contained in them. |
| The confidential files were said to include details of how trade and banking systems could be manipulated to finance illicit weapons of mass destruction in Iran. | The confidential files were said to include details of how trade and banking systems could be manipulated to finance illicit weapons of mass destruction in Iran. |
| They also discussed methods of terrorist funding and the potential fraud of commercial websites and international internet payment systems. | They also discussed methods of terrorist funding and the potential fraud of commercial websites and international internet payment systems. |
| The FATF conference is due to begin on Monday at the QE2 Conference Centre in Westminster, opposite the Houses of Parliament. | The FATF conference is due to begin on Monday at the QE2 Conference Centre in Westminster, opposite the Houses of Parliament. |
| The FATF was established by the 1989 G7 summit in Paris to spearhead efforts to counter the use of the international financial system by criminals. | The FATF was established by the 1989 G7 summit in Paris to spearhead efforts to counter the use of the international financial system by criminals. |
| It has since expanded to 34 members. | It has since expanded to 34 members. |