There is certainly an argument for a criminal investigation into the leaking of information from the National Security Council, a former attorney general has told Sky News.
Dominic Grieve said the disclosure to a newspaper of an NSC discussion about Chinese telecoms giant Huawei’s potential involvement in the development of the UK’s 5G mobile network was corrosive and undesirable.
Prime Minister Theresa May sacked Gavin Williamson as defence secretary after an inquiry found there was compelling evidence he was responsible.
Mr Williamson has denied being the culprit, telling Sky News he swore on his children’s lives that neither he, nor any of his staff, were behind it. © PA Gavin Williamson told Sky News he swore on his children’s lives that he did not leak the information
I have been completely and utterly screwed, he claimed, slamming his firing as a politically motivated decision.
Downing Street has said Mrs May considers the matter to be closed.
Asked about this prospect on Sky News Sunrise, Mr Grieve said: “There’s certainly an argument for it being referred to the police.
It depends on the assessment of the nature of the breach.
It may have been concluded that because the breach was about a policy discussion rather than something more specific that they’re not going to refer it.
But that’s a matter which the cabinet secretary or the prime minister has to explain and justify.
Mr Grieve, who is chair of the intelligence and security committee, said the unauthorised disclosure “ruthlessly undermines the ability of the National Security Council to do its work.
He added: I’ve obviously noted that Gavin Williamson denies this, but the fact there’s been a leak precipitated this crisis.
So from wherever it comes, or it may have come, it shows just how corrosive and undesirable it is.
Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said the “obvious conclusion” to Mrs May’s letter was that Mr Williamson should face a criminal inquiry.
Jo Swinson, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, has written to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick calling for such an investigation.
However, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was up to the police, not politicians, to decide whether there should be a criminal investigation.
He said: “Let me say that, when it comes to issues like whether there should be a police investigation or not, there’s a very, very important principle of our system that those decisions are not made by politicians, they are made independently by police.
And that has to be the correct way forward in this situation. The Metropolitan Police has said it is a matter for the NSC and the Cabinet Office and that it was not carrying out an investigation at this time.
Clearly, if at any stage we receive any information that would suggest criminal offences have been committed, then we will look into that, it added.