UK to overhaul spy legislation to gag news
The UK Law Commission is looking to overhaul the country’s Espionage Act to prosecute foreigners who “leak confidential information” damaging to national security British economic interests.
Published: February 4, 2017, 9:36 am
If Britain adopts these recommendations, prosecuted foreigners could face up to 14 years in prison.
It means in essence that even American journalists who release damning information on UK officials could be prosecuted for doing so, as the UK has extradition agreements with at least 105 countries, including the US.
“Foreigners who leak information overseas that damages British national security could also be prosecuted in the UK for the first time,” the Telegraph reported. “This would include a non-British citizen seconded to a government department and in that role have access to information that relates to security and intelligence.
“Currently, they can only be prosecuted if the leak is by a British national or happens on UK soil.” Thus anyone who leaks “sensitive information” almost anywhere, would be at risk.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence regularly issues “D-Notices” to censor news which the government claims to be “harmful to national security implications,” including leaks from whistleblower Edward Snowden that exposed government criminality, Infowars reported.
The amended Espionage Act would ensure that damning information is never released, not even abroad.
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