MI5 hope that US will still share intelligence
In the wake of the publication of material related to the Binyam Mohammed case, MI5 has said that intelligence shared by the US with the UK has saved British lives
In a highly unusual move, the head of MI5, Jonathan Evans, has written an article for The Daily Telegraph (12 February 2010) in which he states that the UK government appealed against the Divisional Court judgment in the Binyam Mohammed case, not to cover up supposed British collusion in mistreatment, but in order to protect the vital intelligence relationship with America and, by extension, with other countries.
Mr Evans wrote: "We cannot protect the UK without the help and co-operation of other countries. The US, in particular, has been generous in sharing intelligence with us on terrorist threats; that has saved British lives and must be protected.
"The "seven paragraphs" now published are, in fact, less politically explosive than some commentators had imagined. The Government would not have objected to their publication in themselves, despite the unacceptable actions they describe. But the appeal was necessary because the paragraphs were received on intelligence channels and provided on the basis that they would not be disclosed.
"The United States does not have to share intelligence with us. Nor do other countries. The US government has expressed its deep disappointment at the publication of the paragraphs and has said that the judgment will be factored into its decision-making in future. We must hope, for our safety and security, that this does not make it less ready to share intelligence with us."
