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# MI5 Cleared of Contempt After Admitting Court Lies

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/mi5-cleared-of-contempt-after-admitting-court-lies)
- By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph)
- Created on Nov 3, 2026

> Today's judgment underlines MI5's serious failures in this case. I repeat my apology for those failures, and for the additional distress they caused to Beth.
>
> — bbc.co.uk

## What MI5 admitted vs what the court decided

Area

MI5 admission

Court decision

False evidence

Officers gave evidence based on lies to three courts: the High Court (twice) and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Confirmed; court found no deliberate coordinated attempt to deceive but found lies formed the foundation of MI5's account

Officers responsible

Officer 2 resigned; Officer 3 suspended pending disciplinary proceedings

Individual officers may face criminal charges; matter referred to police

Contempt proceedings against MI5

Opposed contempt proceedings

Declined: would serve no legitimate purpose and deprive MI5 of funds needed for essential work

Contempt against Director General

McCallum apologised publicly

Declined: not in the public interest

Victim settlement

MI5 paid Beth compensation; no admission of liability

Court noted settlement; Beth's civil claim is closed

[solicitorsjournal.com](https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/hm-attorney-general-v-bbc-court-declines-contempt-proceedings-over-mi5-false-evidence?utm_source=slatesource)

## What happens next

•

Police now have the primary role. The court said any further action should follow a police investigation, with the Crown Prosecution Service deciding whether to charge.

•

Possible criminal offences cited by judges: misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice.

•

Officer 2 has resigned. Officer 3 remains suspended pending MI5 internal disciplinary proceedings.

•

MI5 has launched reforms under McCallum following the Goldring report.

•

What is not yet known: whether police will open a formal investigation, and if so, which officers will be in scope.

Accountability milestones

57%

Goldring report published (July 2026)

MI5 accepts findings without reservation

MI5 pays compensation to Beth

High Court rules on contempt (3 November 2026)

Police decide whether to open criminal investigation

CPS decides whether to charge individual officers

MI5 internal disciplinary outcome for Officer 3

[anews.com.tr](https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2026/11/03/uk-spy-agency-mi5-will-not-face-contempt-case-for-misleading-evidence?utm_source=slatesource)

Sources: High Court judgment HM Attorney General v BBC \[2026\] EWHC 2802 (Admin); Goldring report via Solicitors Journal; BBC News; Cyprus Mail (Reuters); Brit Brief; The National Archives case law. Agent X's identity remains under a permanent injunction. Beth is a pseudonym granted by the court.

[judiciary.uk](https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Attorney-General-v-BBC-and-Beth-v-Investigatory-Powers-Tribunal.pdf?utm_source=slatesource)