Lib Dem Dossier Shows Anti-Terror Leaks Must End

3.31.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Apr 2007

The Liberal Democrats today called for an investigation into leaks that potentially endanger anti-terror investigations.

The party has produced a dossier of examples of unofficial briefings from Whitehall and Westminster related to anti-terror cases which were premature or inaccurate and potentially compromised investigations.

It comes after Peter Clarke, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said that the people responsible for such leaks should be 'thoroughly ashamed' and that leaks 'put lives at risk'.

Commenting, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said:

"Our dossier provides real evidence to show that the Government's culture of spin is actually undermining efforts to tackle terrorism.

"The source of the leaks referred to by Peter Clarke must be investigated urgently. The police, the security services and the public deserve to know who is acting in a way which, according to Peter Clarke himself, compromises vital work in anti-terror investigations.

"If it turns out that these briefings stemmed from Whitehall and the Government, political accountability for such a spectacular misjudgement is inescapable."