29/07/2003

Shayler loses appeal court bid

Renegade former MI5 officer David Shayler has lost his case at the Court of Appeal in London today.

Three judges rejected Shayler’s bid to clear his name following his conviction under the Official Secrets Act last year. Shayler sought an appeal as he considered that the restraints placed on him during the trial were unfair.

Lawyers acting for Shayler argued that these restrains imposed by the judge at the request of the prosecution breached his right to a fair hearing. However, the Court of Appeal held that the restrictions were correctly imposed during the Old Bailey case.

Shayler was sentenced to six months last year for leaking sensitive security information covered by the Official Secrets Act to the press. He was released on licence after serving only seven weeks in prison.

(SP)

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