Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ordered a fresh investigation into how MI5 provided false evidence to three courts in a case involving a neo-Nazi informant.
The move follows rulings by the High Court and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, both of which rejected the security service’s explanations for what happened.
The case centres on Neo-Nazi informant also known and “Agent X”, an MI5 source who used his role to coerce his girlfriend, later attacking her with a machete.
In a written statement to Parliament on Tuesday, Sir Keir confirmed he had instructed Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir Brian Leveson to lead the inquiry “immediately”. He said the courts would rely on its findings before deciding any next steps regarding Agent X.
The controversy began after a BBC investigation revealed that MI5 had misled judges by denying it had confirmed the agent’s identity, despite recordings showing otherwise. MI5 maintained its position until evidence was produced proving the disclosure had taken place.
MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum later apologised, and two internal inquiries cleared the service of deliberate wrongdoing, blaming mistakes and memory lapses.
In July, senior High Court judges ruled that MI5’s investigations “suffered from serious procedural deficiencies” and could not be relied upon. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal also dismissed the agency’s explanations and requested a new probe.
Sir Brian’s inquiry, conducted under the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO), will examine how inaccurate evidence was presented to multiple courts, including IPCO itself.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary is concerned that inaccurate evidence was provided, Both courts concluded that further investigation was necessary. It would be inappropriate to comment further until it is completed.”
