Money

Police launch criminal probe into release of Darroch cables


Police officers on Friday launched a criminal investigation of the leak that led to the resignation of the UK’s ambassador to Washington, the Metropolitan Police confirmed in an early evening statement.

The announcement by Neil Basu, the force’s assistant commissioner, stressed the seriousness of the leak of cables written by Kim Darroch, in which he described the administration of Donald Trump, US president, as “inept” and “dysfunctional”.

Sir Kim announced his resignation on Wednesday, the morning after Boris Johnson, frontrunner to be the next prime minister, declined repeatedly during a television debate to voice support for keeping him in place. Earlier in the week, Mr Trump had said he would no longer deal with Sir Kim following the leaked remarks.

But Mr Johnson insisted on Friday in a TV interview that his comments in the debate had been “misrepresented” when relayed to Sir Kim and it was sad the ambassador had resigned.

The decision to launch a criminal inquiry follows a previously announced internal government inquiry into the leak, led by the Cabinet Office. Several ministers had said a criminal investigation was likely.

Mr Basu said that, following the Cabinet Office inquiry, a “gateway process” had taken place on Friday to decide whether to proceed with a criminal investigation.

“As a result, the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command, who take national responsibility for investigating allegations of criminal breaches of the Official Secrets Act, has launched a criminal investigation,” Mr Basu said.

He went on: “Given the widely reported consequences of that leak I am satisfied that there has been damage caused to UK international relations, and there would be clear public interest in bringing the person or people responsible to justice.”

He pointed out that, alongside the damage from the leak, the person responsible was also now responsible for diverting “busy detectives” from undertaking their “core mission”.

“You can stop this now,” Mr Basu said. “Turn yourself in at the earliest opportunity, explain yourself and face the consequences.”

The Met’s announcement is the latest development in a week that has put the role of Sir Kim and the UK’s relationship with the US at the centre of political debate. John Major, the former prime minister, said before Sir Kim announced his resignation that he had been “thrown to the wolves” in the controversy over the emails and criticised Mr Johnson’s failure to speak up for the ambassador.

The police investigation is likely to take weeks, meaning it is unlikely to conclude before the Conservative leadership election finishes.

There have been concerns that the person behind the leak might have obtained further potentially damaging material that could be awaiting publication.

Mr Basu appeared to address those concerns when he warned that the publication of leaked documents could also be a criminal matter.

“I would advise all owners, editors and publishers of social and mainstream media not to publish leaked government documents that may already be in their possession, or which may be offered to them, and to turn them over to the police or give them back to their rightful owner, Her Majesty’s Government,” he said.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.