Government seeks to gag BBC over spy story

The authorized row revolves around a extremely sensitive circumstance, understood to problem British intelligence things to do overseas.

A resource mentioned there would be massive disquiet ought to the BBC news broadcast go forward. The resource explained: “It is really severe – there are major threats. The programme would be a significant compromise for our protection.”

Figuring out the spy concerned would have “very really serious effects for the BBC” and would be “a possibility to people’s lives”, the source claimed, adding: “These individuals are executing incredibly, extremely complicated work opportunities in remarkable circumstances. They are jeopardizing their lives. This is not James Bond – these are serious people today.”

The BBC declined to comment on the facts of the tale, but stated on Friday night time that its reporting was in the community desire.

A BBC spokesman stated: “The Lawyer Standard has issued proceedings in opposition to the BBC with a look at to getting an injunction to avert publication of a proposed BBC news story.

“We are not able to comment more at this phase, beyond confirming that we would not go after any story except it was felt it was overwhelmingly in the community curiosity to do so and fully in line with the BBC’s editorial requirements and values.” 

A spokesman for the Attorney General’s Business said: “The Lawyer Common has manufactured an application towards the BBC. It would be inappropriate to comment even further while proceedings are ongoing.

The last superior-profile endeavor by an Legal professional General to gag the BBC was in 2007, when Labour’s Lord Goldsmith was granted an injunction about money-for-honours allegations amid promises that a broadcast of confidential info would have harmed a Achieved inquiry.

The Federal government just about by no means works by using the court docket system to injunct media organisations on the grounds of nationwide safety. 

In the infamous Spycatcher affair in the mid-1980s, the Thatcher administration had sought to avoid newspapers from reporting allegations built in the memoirs of Peter Wright, a former senior MI5 intelligence officer. The Governing administration in the end missing its circumstance in 1988.