Liberal Democrat dossier shows need for anti-terror leaks to end

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Apr 2007

The Liberal Democrats today called for an investigation into leaks that potentially endanger anti-terror investigations. The party has produced a dossier of examples of unofficial briefings from Whitehall and Westminster related to anti-terror cases, which were premature or inaccurate and potentially compromised investigations. This comes after Peter Clarke, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said that the people responsible for such leaks should be 'thoroughly ashamed' and that leaks 'put lives at risk'. David Cameron also demanded an inquiry into the incident during PMQs in the Commons today.

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson said "There is now real evidence that the government's culture of spin is undermining rather than strengthening our response to the terror threat. The source of the leaks referred to by Peter Clarke should be investigated urgently. We need to know whether these briefings stemmed from Whitehall and the government, in which case political accountability for such a spectacular misjudgement is inescapable."