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Last updated: 20 April 2009
CAB 026/09
18 April 2009
In the light of the statement from the Director of Public Prosecutions on Thursday, the Cabinet Office wishes to clarify why senior officials requested the police to consider conducting an investigation. This decision was taken by both the Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office.
Between 2005 and the start of the police investigation there were a large number of leaks from across Government, including information classified as secret and above - a classification usually given only on national security grounds. In addition, there were about 20 leaks of classified documents directly from the Home Office. These clearly came from sources close to the heart of Government who might have access to national security information. For these reasons and the risk of future leaks, it was both appropriate and responsible to ask the police to consider an investigation. The conduct of the investigation was entirely a matter for the police.
Any leaks are a serious matter. They have a corrosive and damaging effect on the business of government and undermine the core value of the impartiality of the Civil Service, as set out in the Civil Service Code.
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