MI5 reprimanded for lying about ties with neo-Nazi informant who attacked girlfriend with machete

The MI5 building in London. Its management of agent X ‘fell far below the standards the public, the courts and Ipco have every right to expect’, Ipco said. Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

MI5 has been reprimanded by a watchdog for lying about its relationship with a neo-Nazi informant, who had exploited his role with the spy agency to violently threaten his girlfriend.

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (Ipco) criticised MI5’s handling of a man known only as agent X, and said some of its officers had initially misled the public about his true status.