HC Deb 27 February 1987 vol 111 cc454-5W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Attorney-General why he did not prosecute Lieutenant Narendra Sethia under the Official Secrets Act prior to his leaving the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The Solicitor-General

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General announced on 10 June 1985 at cols.299–300 that the Metropolitan police had submitted their report on this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions who had concluded that it was not possible for him to institute proceedings against any person on the evidence then available. It was also his view that there was insufficient prospect that further investigations would enable him to come to a different conclusion for it to be in the public interest for him to ask the police to pursue their inquiries any further. The Attorney-General agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions in all respects.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether, in the light of the return to the United Kingdom of Lieutenant Narendra Sethia, he will now prosecute him under section 2 of the Official Secrets Act for revealing to others classified information in his naval diary; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will prosecute Mr. David Leigh of the Observer Newspaper under section 2 of the Official Secrets Act for revealing information from the naval diaries of Narendra Sethia, knowing that information to be classified; and if he will make a statement.

The Solicitor-General

No. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to his previous question.

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