Fourth Further Evidence submitted by the
Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith QC, Attorney General
As you know, since I gave oral evidence to your
Committee on 7 February I have appeared before the Intelligence
and Services Committee to explain the background to the decision
not to prosecute Richard Tomlinson under the Official Secrets
Act. I for my part found that to be a positive exercise and would
be happy if the ISC similarly wished in future to be briefed about
my decisions in cases involving intelligence considerations.
As to the SFO investigation into BAE and Saudi
Arabia, as you are aware the ISC in fact received briefing from
SIS in relation to that case, when SIS confirmed (as indeed it
has made clear publicly) that it shared the concerns of others
within Government over the threat to the UK's national interests
from pursuing the investigation. I gained the impression that
the ISC were satisfied by those assurances and it might be helpful
if CASC were made aware of this.
22 March 2007
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