MI5 apologizes for providing false evidence after settling woman’s claim of abuse by informant
The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has agreed to pay compensation to a woman who was assaulted by a neo-Nazi informant. “mistakes” That prolonged her legal battle.
The woman, a British national known as ‘Beth’, was in a relationship with a man identified as Agent X, a foreign national recruited by MI5 to infiltrate far-right extremist networks. Video footage obtained by the BBC in an investigation published several years ago showed X attacking Beth with a machete, threatening to kill her and using his intelligence service status as a means of coercive control.
Beth had previously told investigators that Agent X bragged about her MI5 contacts, warning her that she could not report her torture. “He always had men in high places who had his back.” He sexually assaulted her, stockpiled weapons and forced her to watch videos of executions.
The case sparked widespread scandal after the BBC reported that MI5 had provided false evidence to three courts while defending its handling of agents. Although senior officers revealed the man’s status to journalists in 2020 in an attempt to persuade the BBC to drop its investigation, the security service claimed it was sticking to its policy of not confirming or denying the identity of informants.
In a statement on Tuesday, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said Beth’s legal claim had been settled before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. “Without admission of obligation.” The tribunal handles complaints against UK intelligence agencies.
“We sincerely apologize for the distress Beth has suffered as a result of MI5’s mistakes in this litigation.” He said. “We relied on false evidence and our record-keeping fell below the standard of professionalism we expect and Beth deserved.”
Beth said she was grateful for the solution but this “Nothing can ever be done to make up for what I went through at X’s hands.” He said he trusted MI5 “Still protecting this violent misogynistic predator.”
Before taking up his MI5 role, a right-wing extremist “With a Violent Past” He abused his ex-girlfriend abroad and threatened to kill her and her child. “He indulged in ideas about eating children.” According to the BBC.
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“MI5 did not adequately assess the risks of giving that status to someone with a history of X and his disturbing attitudes towards women.” Kate Ellis of the Women’s Justice Center acted on behalf of Beth. “I hope the state will reconsider using women as collateral in covert operations” she added.
The scandal comes as MI5 faces separate allegations of years of illegal spying on Irish journalist Vincent Kearney, who was critical of the agency’s actions in Northern Ireland.
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