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UK: MI5 update

01 March 1998

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Annie Mahon a former MI5 officer, the partner of David Shayler ex-MI5 officer, has been told that the government is not to prosecute her. Annie Mahon was arrested but not detained in 1997 after she returned from visiting Shayler who is in hiding in western Europe. After Shayler disclosed details of MI5 surveillance of political targets including prominent Labour politicians Mahon revealed further instances including thousands of pounds spent on spying on the annual conference of the Socialist Workers Party where the only reported activity was alleged excessive drinking. Nor is Mahon to be prosecuted for allegations of passing money to Shayler.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that MI5 officers have the right to give evidence in criminal trials hidden from defendants and the public and with their identities kept secret. The Court argued that their safety could be put at risk if their identities were revealed: "Considerations of national security can justify a departure from the principle of open justice." Though this judgement concerned a case where two men were jailed for planning an IRA bombing campaign it comes as MI5 are increasingly becoming involved in traditional policing areas - tackling serious crime and drug trafficking.

Guardian, 31.3.98 & 8.4.98; see Statewatch, vol 8 no 1.

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