Man charged under Official Secrets Act for ‘damaging disclosure’ of defence information
Written by News on 09/10/2019
A man has been charged under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly disclosing sensitive defence information.
Simon Finch, from Swansea, will appear in court accused of the “damaging disclosure” of details he had access to as a civil servant or government contractor.
The legislation considers such a disclosure to be harmful if it “damages the capability” of the armed forces, endangers national interests abroad, or leads to loss of life or injury.
Scotland Yard said the 49-year-old had been charged following an almost year-long investigation, with the alleged offence having taken place on or around 28 October 2018.
The probe was led by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command and the Ministry of Defence is aware of the charge, which will see the suspect appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
In a statement, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We are aware of proceedings involving an individual who has been charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act.
“This is a police matter and questions should be addressed to them.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Man charged under Official Secrets Act for ‘damaging disclosure’ of defence information
