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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Blair rejects leak inquiry call | Blair rejects leak inquiry call |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected demands for an independent inquiry into leaks of police anti-terrorism intelligence to the media. | |
| The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have both asked the government for a formal investigation. | |
| The UK's counter-terrorism chief has said leaks could "put lives at risk". | |
| But Mr Blair said that "as far as he was aware" ministers and civil servants had not been responsible for any, and that he completely condemned all leaks. | |
| On Tuesday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of the Metropolitan Police said people who divulged sensitive information to the media 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 |
| But he did not specify where the leaks had come from. | |
| Instead he used a recent anti-terror investigation in Birmingham as an example of when information had been leaked to the media. | |
| Shadow home secretary David Davis has asked Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to launch a formal inquiry into this operation. | |
| During prime minister's questions in the Commons, Tory leader David Cameron called on Mr Blair to appoint an independent person to investigate leaks. | |
| He asked for assurances that no minister, civil servant or special adviser had divulged 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. |
| Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell told the BBC: "It may be for all we know that there have been some breaches of the criminal law. | |
| "There may even have been breaches of the Official Secrets Act. If that is so, then the proper investigating authority in the first instance would be the police themselves." |