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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Blair rejects leak inquiry call | Blair rejects leak inquiry call |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Tony Blair has rejected a call for an independent inquiry into leaks of police anti-terrorism intelligence to the media. | |
| The PM was responding to calls from Tory leader David Cameron for an inquiry to find whether any details had come from ministers or aides. | |
| Mr Blair said that "as far as he was aware" they had not, and that he completely condemned such leaks. | Mr Blair said that "as far as he was aware" they had not, and that he completely condemned such leaks. |
| The UK's counter-terrorism chief has said they could "put lives at risk". | |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of the Metropolitan Police said people who did divulge sensitive information were "beneath contempt". | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of the Metropolitan Police said people who did divulge sensitive information were "beneath contempt". |
| Let me make it absolutely clear that I completely condemn any leaks of sensitive information from whatever quarter Tony Blair 'No guarantee' in terror fight Analysis: Election battle | Let me make it absolutely clear that I completely condemn any leaks of sensitive information from whatever quarter Tony Blair 'No guarantee' in terror fight Analysis: Election battle |
| He made the comments in a speech, but did not specify where the leaks came from. | He made the comments in a speech, but did not specify where the leaks came from. |
| Instead he used a recent anti-terror investigation in Birmingham as an example of when information was leaked to the media. | Instead he used a recent anti-terror investigation in Birmingham as an example of when information was leaked to the media. |
| During prime minister's questions in the Commons, Mr Cameron called on the PM to appoint an independent person to investigate where the leaks came from. | During prime minister's questions in the Commons, Mr Cameron called on the PM to appoint an independent person to investigate where the leaks came from. |
| He asked for assurances from Mr Blair that no minister, civil servant or special advisor leaked the information. | He asked for assurances from Mr Blair that no minister, civil servant or special advisor leaked the information. |
| Mr Blair said: "The only guarantee that I can give is that, as far as I'm aware, they did not. | Mr Blair said: "The only guarantee that I can give is that, as far as I'm aware, they did not. |
| "But let me make it absolutely clear that I completely condemn any leaks of sensitive information from whatever quarter." | "But let me make it absolutely clear that I completely condemn any leaks of sensitive information from whatever quarter." |
| He criticised Mr Cameron for his suggestion that members of the government were responsible. | He criticised Mr Cameron for his suggestion that members of the government were responsible. |
| Confidential and tight | Confidential and tight |
| "I don't think it's right to leave an allegation suggesting that may be a minister who has done this, unless he's got actual evidence that that is so. | "I don't think it's right to leave an allegation suggesting that may be a minister who has done this, unless he's got actual evidence that that is so. |
| "But I would have thought that everyone would understand that when the police, particularly when they are conducting very sensitive operations - and where there's the potential for the significant loss of life - then it's incredibly important that that information is kept confidential and tight. | "But I would have thought that everyone would understand that when the police, particularly when they are conducting very sensitive operations - and where there's the potential for the significant loss of life - then it's incredibly important that that information is kept confidential and tight. |
| "And, as far as I'm concerned, that is the case." | "And, as far as I'm concerned, that is the case." |
| A spokesman for the Conservative Party later told the BBC that they had "no evidence" that any minister or civil servant was involved in leaking details of the Birmingham investigation. | A spokesman for the Conservative Party later told the BBC that they had "no evidence" that any minister or civil servant was involved in leaking details of the Birmingham investigation. |
| He said Mr Cameron, in bringing up the issue in the Commons, had not made any accusation, but wanted an inquiry to clear the issue. | He said Mr Cameron, in bringing up the issue in the Commons, had not made any accusation, but wanted an inquiry to clear the issue. |
| In the Commons, Mr Blair agreed with DAC Clarke's stance that there was no justification for ever leaking such information. | In the Commons, Mr Blair agreed with DAC Clarke's stance that there was no justification for ever leaking such information. |
| 'Misguided individuals' | 'Misguided individuals' |
| DAC Clarke had said there were a "small number of misguided individuals who betray confidences". | DAC Clarke had said there were a "small number of misguided individuals who betray confidences". |
| By doing so, they had compromised investigations, revealed sources of life-saving intelligence and "put lives at risk" during major investigations. | By doing so, they had compromised investigations, revealed sources of life-saving intelligence and "put lives at risk" during major investigations. |
| He also warned of a damaging "lack of public trust" in intelligence. | He also warned of a damaging "lack of public trust" in intelligence. |
| The Liberal Democrats have also called for an investigation into any leaks. | The Liberal Democrats have also called for an investigation into any leaks. |
| Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "The police, the security services and the public deserve to know who is acting in a way which, according to Peter Clarke himself, compromises vital work in anti-terror investigations." | Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "The police, the security services and the public deserve to know who is acting in a way which, according to Peter Clarke himself, compromises vital work in anti-terror investigations." |