X-Nico

11 unusual facts about Official Secrets Act 1989


Brian Hutton, Baron Hutton

On 21 March 2002 Lord Hutton was one of four Law Lords to reject David Shayler's application to use a "public interest" defence as defined in section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 at his trial.

British military intelligence systems in Northern Ireland

Following publication of The Irish War both were investigated by the Ministry of Defence Police and charged with offences under the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Crown servant

Section 12(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1989 defines the expression "Crown servant" for the purposes of that Act.

Declassification

Classified information has been governed by various Official Secrets Acts, the latest being the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Graymail

She was charged under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989, but the case was dropped when the prosecution declined to offer evidence.

John Githongo

Speculation was also rife that Githongo's continued exile was directly related to the spying allegations and the fact that he broke various secrecy laws under the Official Secrets Act, that covered government officials.

Legal custody

In section 4 of the Official Secrets Act 1989, the expression "legal custody" includes detention in pursuance of any enactment or any instrument made under an enactment.

O'Connor–Keogh official secrets trial

In November 2005, Civil servant David Keogh was charged with offences under section 3, and parliamentary researcher Leo O'Connor under section 5, of the Official Secrets Act 1989 in the United Kingdom.

Official Secrets Act

The Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 means the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1939 and the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Peter Wright

With the enactment of the Official Secrets Act 1989, an absolute prohibition on revelations by serving or former intelligence officers was imposed.

Public interest defence

The inclusion of the defence has been a subject of debate in the legislative process of the Official Secrets Act 1989 of the United Kingdom.