UK High Court orders robust MI5 false evidence probe

The High Court has rejected two investigations by MI5 into the agency's false evidence given in court about a neo-Nazi informant known as 'X', who abused women, including one called 'Beth'. MI5 had falsely claimed it never confirmed or denied X's informant status to journalists or courts, but the BBC exposed repeated disclosures by a senior MI5 officer attempting to block a BBC investigation into X's dangerous behavior. The court criticized MI5's inquiries as seriously deficient and ordered a new, robust, and independent investigation overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, whose office was also misled by MI5. While MI5 has apologized unreservedly and committed to cooperate fully, the judges deemed it premature to consider contempt of court proceedings until the new investigation concludes. The case highlights significant concerns over MI5's credibility and its handling of informants who commit abuse, marking a critical test of the intelligence agency's accountability and trustworthiness in the judicial system.