THE Attorney General has defended efforts to block the identification of an MI5 agent said to have exploited his status to terrorise and attack his girlfriend.
Suella Braverman told MPs she was “very pleased” that an injunction is in place following a Government application, given there are “national security interests” involved.
Labour criticised the injunction and demanded a “fuller investigation” on the case.
Shadow solicitor general Andy Slaughter told the Commons: “In January, the Attorney General told the House that this Government takes tackling domestic abuse and hate crime extremely seriously.
“So why has she spent the months since then taking the BBC through the High Court to protect an MI5 informant who attacked one partner with a machete and who another partner predicted will kill a woman if he is not challenged and exposed?
“One of his victims is now taking her case to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, but doesn’t this demand a fuller investigation?
“Rather than disregard the interests of domestic violence victims where the security services are involved, will the Attorney General support an inquiry by the Intelligence and Security Committee into the handling of this case and whether it raises wider concerns that agents are able to use their status to evade criminal responsibility?”
The injunction remains in place preventing the BBC from disclosing information likely to identify the man, referred to only as “X”, who is said to be a covert human intelligence source.
Braverman replied: “Of course any allegation of domestic abuse or sexual assault on victims is horrendous and on no account does anyone in this Government condone that behaviour.
“I was very pleased with the result of the court on our application for an injunction because there are national security interests which are vital to be balanced in any matter.”
Braverman went on to say the Government is taking “huge steps” to support victims of domestic abuse.
