A leak of information from a top-secret meeting of the National Security Council about Chinese tech giant Huawei “did not contain information that would breach the Official Secrets Act” and “did not amount to a criminal offence”, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu of the Metropolitan Police said.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu gave a statement on the Huawei leak on Saturday. (Photo Credit: PA/Evening Standard)
In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Operations, said: “I have spoken to the Cabinet Office regarding the nature of the material that was discussed in the National Security Council. This material was used to inform a discussion, the outcome of which was subsequently disclosed to the media. I am satisfied that what was disclosed did not contain information that would breach the Official Secrets Act.
“I have considered all the information available to me and I have taken legal advice. I am satisfied that the disclosure did not amount to a criminal offence, either under the Official Secrets Act or Misconduct in a Public Office. No crime has been committed and this is not a matter for the police.
“Any organisation has the right to conduct an internal investigation into conduct in the workplace. It is not a matter for the police unless a crime is alleged. At no time have the police been provided with evidence by the Cabinet Office that a crime has been committed nor has it been suggested that a Gateway process would be required to enable that determination to be made.
“No crime has been alleged by the owner of the material and I am clear that the leak did not cause damage to the public interest at a level at which it would be necessary to engage Misconduct in a Public Office. It would be inappropriate to carry out a police investigation in these circumstances.”
Gavin Williamson was sacked from his role as Defence Secretary following days of searching for the person who leaked information from the UK’s National Security Council.
Mrs May has faced a growing backlash over her treatment of Mr Williamson, who insists he did not leak highly sensitive information about the government’s 5G Huawei deal discussed during a National Security Council meeting.
But the prime minister defended her decision to sack Williamson, telling ITV Wales that she’d made the ”right decision”.
Credit: ITV
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