Following the BBC’s revelations, MI5’s Director General Sir Ken McCallum apologised. Two official inquiries then took place which absolved MI5 and its officers of deliberate wrongdoing, claiming the false evidence was down to mistakes and poor memories.
But, in July, a panel of senior high court judges ruled that the “investigations carried out by MI5 to date suffer from serious procedural deficiencies” and that “we cannot rely on their conclusions”.
They said it would be “premature” to decide whether to begin contempt of court proceedings against any MI5 officers before a new investigation took place.
Later the same month, the investigatory powers tribunal also rejected MI5’s explanations and requested a new investigation.
The new investigation will be carried out under the auspices of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir Brian Leveson, who has oversight of MI5’s surveillance activities. His office, IPCO, was also provided with false evidence by MI5 in the case.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary is concerned that inaccurate evidence was provided to the High Court and Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The Director General of MI5 has rightly apologised for this serious failing, both publicly and to the Courts.
“Both courts concluded that further investigation was necessary to determine how incorrect evidence came to be presented to them. The government accepted their recommendations and the Prime Minister has commissioned Sir Brian Leveson – the Investigatory Powers Commissioner – to lead this investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until it is completed.”