LONDON - The British government's commitment to greater openness will be tested in the High Court this week when it will be forced to defend a blanket injunction preventing a former MI5 officer from disclosing further embarrassing revelations. The decision by Mr Justice Keene on Saturday to stop the Mail on Sunday publishing what the newspaper described as reports that "primarily highlight the incompetence of MI5" will be tested at a full High Court hearing listed for Thursday.
The interim injunction was obtained by government lawyers in consultation with the Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, and the Attorney General, Mr John Morris. The Mail on Sunday said yesterday it would have published "the facts of a case of national and international importance, which would have revealed MI5 incompetence in the handling of a serious terrorist incident". The newspaper disclosed that Mr Alistair Campbell, Mr Blair's press secretary, put pressure on the newspaper's editor, Mr Jonathan Holborrow.
Mr Straw said he had no wish to prevent "legitimate debate or criticism of the Security Service". The former MI5 agent, Mr David Shyler, had access to highly sensitive information which he had undertaken never to reveal.