What punishment would a SofS get for breaching the official secrets act?
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What punishment would a SofS get for breaching the official secrets act?
The rules for breaking rules for servicemen are clear and often far reaching. If Dr Fox is found to be lacking in another area of judgement what will happen to him?
I hope the full weight of the law applies equally!
I hope the full weight of the law applies equally!
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Is it not possible for anybody to report a possible criminal act to the police to investigate ? I hope if it has been found that he has breached the OSA, the full weight of the law should be brought to bear on him.
Nothing will happen to him - there are already clear precedents. When Chris Patten was Governor of Hong Kong, he admitted using raw information from SIS CX reports to pad out his biography "The Last Governor", all profits to himself. It was an utterly blatant and selfish abuse of the OSA, for which he received no punishment.
The OSA is only ever used against low level people who do not have the resources or backers to defend themselves against the might of the state. For example, the TA Interpreter who is still banged up for talking to Iranians, or Milos Stankovich who spoke to some Serbs in Bosnia, or a few low level people in security services who complained about poor treatment.
It is a law that badly needs repealing, because prosecutions have to be authorised by the Attorney General -ie it contravenes the principle of independence of the judiciary.
All Liam Fox needs to do is to buy Dominic Grieve a G&T and he will be ok.
The OSA is only ever used against low level people who do not have the resources or backers to defend themselves against the might of the state. For example, the TA Interpreter who is still banged up for talking to Iranians, or Milos Stankovich who spoke to some Serbs in Bosnia, or a few low level people in security services who complained about poor treatment.
It is a law that badly needs repealing, because prosecutions have to be authorised by the Attorney General -ie it contravenes the principle of independence of the judiciary.
All Liam Fox needs to do is to buy Dominic Grieve a G&T and he will be ok.
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the TA Interpreter who is still banged up for talking to Iranians,
Agree with Trim Stab. Also, the Freedom of Information Act has blurred the line. I've submitted numerous requests, most rejected on security grounds, only for another MoD department to provide them in the next post without me having to lodge an appeal.
I've a feeling Fox need look no further than some retired senior officers he has recently upset. If I'm right, they play a dangerous game because I'm sure Fox has lots of dirt.
And let's face it, there are posts on pprune that, strictly speaking, breach the OSA. But where would MoD be without pprune? It provides them with the Corporate Knowledge they ditched long ago and is demonstrably the source of many policy ideas.
I've a feeling Fox need look no further than some retired senior officers he has recently upset. If I'm right, they play a dangerous game because I'm sure Fox has lots of dirt.
And let's face it, there are posts on pprune that, strictly speaking, breach the OSA. But where would MoD be without pprune? It provides them with the Corporate Knowledge they ditched long ago and is demonstrably the source of many policy ideas.
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It would be interesting to see what he has allegedly done. Is buying a mate a coffee in the "Pillared Hall" an OSA offence - even private chats in his office if all of the protected material is put away?
I've been to many meetings in MoD with people without clearance - they get an "escorted access" pass and in the meeting we cannot talk above unclassified level. So what is the big deal?
Sounds like Ed B0ll0cks and Ed Millipede trying to muck spread muck as usual to me.
CPL Clott
I've been to many meetings in MoD with people without clearance - they get an "escorted access" pass and in the meeting we cannot talk above unclassified level. So what is the big deal?
Sounds like Ed B0ll0cks and Ed Millipede trying to muck spread muck as usual to me.
CPL Clott
I've been to many meetings in MoD with people without clearance - they get an "escorted access" pass and in the meeting we cannot talk above unclassified level.
When we moved to ShabbeyWood in 96, a certain favoured "unescorted" contractor was given his own networked computer terminal and password access to the entire Directorate's files and e-mails, which he could (and did) share with his "escorted" mates when they came a-calling. And if he wanted to read the Secret and Top Secret files in our Classified Documents Register, all he had to do was look behind him as they were stacked on the floor - we weren't given storage for the first few months.
I'm no lover of Defence Ministers, but I smell a rat.
sidewayspeak
The SofS could be told that he is "..a very naughty boy..." and sent to bed early without any tea!
Alternatively, does MOD Main Building have a "naughty step"?
The SofS could be told that he is "..a very naughty boy..." and sent to bed early without any tea!
Alternatively, does MOD Main Building have a "naughty step"?
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Tuc, not wrong there.
I wonder how many difficult decisions are being forced on SOS's office right now, who, IMHO, has done a fantastic job so far in very difficult circumstances. I dont think its a secret that L Fox has fought hard for the lads, which makes me wonder who gave the daily mail the story.
I would have to ask where did the video footage come from? Smacks to me, either Liam Foxes original story didnt tie up with the truth and the Cameroon media machine is doing a hatchet job (better to lose a finger before you have to chop off an arm), or, more Machiavellian, Fox is being fingered and moved aside for a poodle to take over, in light of further difficult decisions which the current SOS may have issues with.
Why exactly are people baying for his blood on here? Compare him to some of the spineless s0ds labour put in office and he is streets ahead.
I wonder how many difficult decisions are being forced on SOS's office right now, who, IMHO, has done a fantastic job so far in very difficult circumstances. I dont think its a secret that L Fox has fought hard for the lads, which makes me wonder who gave the daily mail the story.
I would have to ask where did the video footage come from? Smacks to me, either Liam Foxes original story didnt tie up with the truth and the Cameroon media machine is doing a hatchet job (better to lose a finger before you have to chop off an arm), or, more Machiavellian, Fox is being fingered and moved aside for a poodle to take over, in light of further difficult decisions which the current SOS may have issues with.
Why exactly are people baying for his blood on here? Compare him to some of the spineless s0ds labour put in office and he is streets ahead.
I am really struggling to see the problem here. Ministers are phenomenally busy people - friends of mine have worked in their outer offices and the hours that many Ministers keep are extremely long, and the small outer office teams are extremely protective of their principal. If this guy was a close friend, then it would make sense to me to invite him into MB for a quick drink / coffee to catch up rather than go to a pub (security nightmare).
I've had friends and family come into the MOD before - providing you have a valid reason for them to be there, and you escort them at all times and dont expose them to things they shouldnt be seeing, then there is no issue.
This smacks of a left wing journalistic attempt to try and batter the Tory Right, and deny us a Minister who genuinely gives a damn about HM Forces.
I've had friends and family come into the MOD before - providing you have a valid reason for them to be there, and you escort them at all times and dont expose them to things they shouldnt be seeing, then there is no issue.
This smacks of a left wing journalistic attempt to try and batter the Tory Right, and deny us a Minister who genuinely gives a damn about HM Forces.
This smacks of a left wing journalistic attempt to try and batter the Tory Right
Liam Fox allegations: Defence minister under pressure over Adam Werritty's job | Mail Online