Unic Press UK: The Metropolitan Police will not be investigating the leak with regard to the Chinese telecoms company Huawei as it did not amount to a criminal offence.
In a statement Saturday, the head of the Met’s Specialist Operations, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu 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 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.”
The position of the Police probably brings to an end the clamour by the recently sacked UK defense secretary, Gavin Williamson, who has denied being responsible for leaking to the media the UK moves to allow Chinese company Huawei to help in building the UK’s 5G network.
The UK prime minister Theresa May sacked Gavin Williamson on Wednesday based on the Cabinet Office report, which indicted the former defense secretary Williamson for unauthorised disclosure.
“In our meeting this evening, I put to you the latest information from the investigation, which provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure. No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified. It is vital that I have full confidence in the members of my cabinet and of the National Security Council. The gravity of this issue alone, and its ramifications for the operation of the NSC and the UK’s national interest, warrants the serious steps we have taken, and an equally serious response,” the prime minister wrote in a letter to Williamson.
