Menu
10/05/2007
Men jailed for secret memo leak
A civil servant has been jailed for six months for leaking a secret memo about talks between Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush.
David Keogh, 50, from Northampton was found guilty of two offences under the Official Secrets Act at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 of the £35,000 prosecution costs.
MPs researcher Leo O'Connor, 44, was jailed for three months after being found guilty of one offence under the Official Secrets Act.
During the trial, the court heard how Keogh had given O'Connor, who worked as a researcher for anti-war Labour MP Anthony Clarke, the memo in a dining club in Northampton.
The memo related to talks about Iraq between Mr Bush and Mr Blair in 2004. The contents of the memo were deemed so sensitive that much of the trial was held in closed session.
It is understood that Mr O'Connor placed the memo in Mr Clarke's constituency papers, but he discovered the memo and handed it in.
Rex Tedd QC, Keogh's barrister, said that his client had wanted to reveal the truth of what was happening in Iraq and had acted because he was following his conscience.
O'Connor said that he had left the memo for his boss to find and return to the relevant authorities and had never intended to send copies of it to newspapers or other MPs.
Judge Mr Justice Aikens said that Keogh's "reckless and irresponsible" actions could have cost British lives.
(KMcA/JM)
David Keogh, 50, from Northampton was found guilty of two offences under the Official Secrets Act at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 of the £35,000 prosecution costs.
MPs researcher Leo O'Connor, 44, was jailed for three months after being found guilty of one offence under the Official Secrets Act.
During the trial, the court heard how Keogh had given O'Connor, who worked as a researcher for anti-war Labour MP Anthony Clarke, the memo in a dining club in Northampton.
The memo related to talks about Iraq between Mr Bush and Mr Blair in 2004. The contents of the memo were deemed so sensitive that much of the trial was held in closed session.
It is understood that Mr O'Connor placed the memo in Mr Clarke's constituency papers, but he discovered the memo and handed it in.
Rex Tedd QC, Keogh's barrister, said that his client had wanted to reveal the truth of what was happening in Iraq and had acted because he was following his conscience.
O'Connor said that he had left the memo for his boss to find and return to the relevant authorities and had never intended to send copies of it to newspapers or other MPs.
Judge Mr Justice Aikens said that Keogh's "reckless and irresponsible" actions could have cost British lives.
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 May 2007
Civil servant found guilty of memo leak
A civil servant and an MP's researcher have been found guilty of leaking a secret memo about talks between Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush. David Keogh, 50, from Northampton, was found guilty of two offences under the Offical Secrets Act, while Leo O'Connor was found guilty of one charge, at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.
Civil servant found guilty of memo leak
A civil servant and an MP's researcher have been found guilty of leaking a secret memo about talks between Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush. David Keogh, 50, from Northampton, was found guilty of two offences under the Offical Secrets Act, while Leo O'Connor was found guilty of one charge, at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.
26 April 2010
'Offensive' Memo Will Not Affect Pope's Visit
The Vatican have said the Pope's UK visit will not be affected by the "offensive" memo that was leaked to the the Sunday Telegraph.
'Offensive' Memo Will Not Affect Pope's Visit
The Vatican have said the Pope's UK visit will not be affected by the "offensive" memo that was leaked to the the Sunday Telegraph.
05 September 2006
'Leaked memo' reveals details of Blair's exit plan
A leaked memo has reportedly revealed details of Tony's Blair's plans to stand down as Prime Minister.
'Leaked memo' reveals details of Blair's exit plan
A leaked memo has reportedly revealed details of Tony's Blair's plans to stand down as Prime Minister.
23 October 2003
Officials play down Rumsfeld's candid 'war on terror' memo
The US defense department has moved to play down a leaked internal memo written by Donald Rumsfeld which states that the US is having "mixed results against Al Qaida". The memo, published in the USA Today, is addressed to senior Pentagon and army officials.
Officials play down Rumsfeld's candid 'war on terror' memo
The US defense department has moved to play down a leaked internal memo written by Donald Rumsfeld which states that the US is having "mixed results against Al Qaida". The memo, published in the USA Today, is addressed to senior Pentagon and army officials.
16 March 2005
Conflicting reports over Diana's fatal car journey
The Cabinet Office has released a series of papers containing conflicting reports of why Diana, Princess of Wales, was in the car in which she died.
Conflicting reports over Diana's fatal car journey
The Cabinet Office has released a series of papers containing conflicting reports of why Diana, Princess of Wales, was in the car in which she died.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mostly cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain reaching parts of Antrim and Down later this evening, The showers will extend westwards overnight, clearing from most places by morning. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
