MPs say civil service leakers should lose pensions after Sir Kim Darroch row
2 min read
Officials caught leaking confidential information should lose their pensions and be forced to cover the costs of the probe that follows, MPs have said.
The Foreign Affairs Committee said ministers should consider the tough new sanctions in a bid to end an "insidious culture of leaking" within Whitehall.
It comes after an investigation was launched to find the source of the leaked diplomatic cables from Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's former ambassador to America, in which he described President Trump's administration as "inept" and "uniquely disfunctional".
In a hard-hitting new report, MPs warned that the leak had "undermined the influence of the United Kingdom around the world, and potentially, caused a damaging rift with our most important ally".
And they slammed ministers for failing to tackle leaking consistently, by accusing Foreign Office officials of allowing those which show the deparment in a favourable light to pass without a robust investigation.
A Met Police Counter Terrorism Command investigation was launched into the Sir Kim leak to establish whether there had been a crimical breach of the Official Secrets Act.
Those caught breaching the act can face up to two years in prison, but the report urged the Government to consider extra sanctions, including the loss of pensions and employment related benefits as well as being forced to pay costs associated with the investigation into the leak.
"The Committee urges the Government in general, and the FCO in particualr, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to leaks and to respond to all leaks robustly - whether from ministers, civil servants or others - and with and absolutel determination to identify and punish the source," the report added.
"Failure to do so in the past has led to what appears to be a culture of leaks."
Committee chair Tom Tugendhat, said: "The Foreign Affairs Committee condemns this leak completely. We greatly regret that it resulted in the resignation of Sir Kim Darroch after such a long and distinguished career.
"Confidentiality is at the heart of our diplomacy. The effective functioning of Government depends on it. Leaks are corrosive and undermine the work of the FCO, the civil service and the wider Government at home and abroad. They place civil servants in untenable situations and betray the trust placed in us to serve our nation.
"The FCO must commit to rooting out all sources of leaks; there must be consistency in approach, sending a clear signal that leaking will not be tolerated at any level."
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
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