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MI5 apologizes for handling machete attack case

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image description, A still from a video filmed by Beth showing the agent attacking her with a machete

  • Author, Daniel DeSimone
  • Role, BBC News

MI5 has apologized for failing to promptly pass on information to a woman who was attacked with a machete by one of its agents.

The woman, known by the pseudonym Beth, has complained to the regulator, which investigates complaints against the intelligence services.

In 2022, a BBC investigation revealed that the man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had used his role to coercively control Beth, his ex-partner.

He was physically and sexually abusive and was filmed threatening to kill her and then attacking her with a machete.

Two years ago the government took the BBC to court to block the story from being broadcast.

She failed to do so, but managed to gain him legal anonymity, arguing that the man – a right-wing extremist known publicly as X – would be in danger if he were publicly named. The BBC argued he needed to be identified so women could be warned about such a predatory and violent man.

Beth, represented by the Center for Women’s Justice, then lodged a formal complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), a panel of senior judges that investigates human rights claims against MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

MI5 has always refused to publicly confirm whether or not X was an agent, i.e. an authorized informant.

At a preliminary IPT hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London today, a lawyer for MI5 – also known as the Security Service – said the agency regretted its failure to disclose disclosures in the case so far.

“We would like to apologize to the plaintiff and her representatives,” said Neil Sheldon KC.

He accepted and apologized for forcing Beth to prepare legal filings even though she was unaware that further information would be disclosed.

Mr Sheldon also apologized for not communicating properly with the IPT itself, which he viewed as “poor”. IPT lawyers had to send MI5 several emails to get an answer to a basic question.

In response, Ms Justice Lieven called on MI5 to “prove the authenticity of the apology” by ensuring such problems did not reoccur.

Sarah Hannett KC, counsel for the IPT, used her written submissions to say there was “no real urgency” on the part of MI5 regarding the process of “opening up” information to the case.

Beth asks the IPT to investigate MI5’s recruitment and dealings with The IPT will examine whether MI5’s behavior violates Beth’s human rights by allowing X to subject her to violence and abuse with impunity.

The preliminary hearing will consider whether MI5 should be able to maintain its position of publicly neither confirming nor denying whether X was an agent.

Another secret hearing will take place on Friday. The full trial is scheduled to begin in January 2025.

The original BBC investigation revealed how

X also abused another former partner and her child and threatened to kill them. He then used the woman’s name as a cover while working for MI5. He also threatened to kill and sexually abuse young girls and wrote down his cannibal fantasies about eating children.

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