Investigatory Powers Commissioner publishes report into Agent X Investigation  

Investigatory Powers Commissioner publishes report into Agent X Investigation  

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, today publishes the report of the independent investigation into the circumstances resulting in the provision of false evidence to both the High Court and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in proceedings connected with Agent X, led by Deputy Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir John Goldring.  

Summary of core findings  

• Sir John’s investigation identified serious and systemic failures in MI5’s conduct in relation to the Agent X case. Proper authorisation to depart from Neither Confirm Nor Deny (NCND) was not obtained. The key individual who departed from NCND to the BBC journalist knew throughout what he had done yet failed to report it. Others in MI5 knew that NCND had been departed from, but a false account was allowed to take hold and persist. 

• That false account was subsequently relied upon in the injunction proceedings, before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and in judicial review proceedings. Opportunities to correct the position were missed. The Agent X file itself contained evidence that should have prompted further inquiry but did not.  

• MI5’s responses in the legal proceedings and to IPCO were seriously flawed. Relying on erroneous responses already given to the special advocates and the court, MI5 again wrongly assured IPCO that NCND had been maintained. On the second occasion, MI5 should certainly have undertaken additional due diligence before informing IPCO.  

• The report also finds that MI5 officers failed to comply with their duty of candour and relevant statutory disclosure obligations. Lawyers did not explain these obligations to those whose evidence fed into witness statements. There was instead an assumption by lawyers that all individuals feeding into corporate witness statements understood their duties.  

• The Director General of MI5 has put in place a major programme of work seeking to address the failings identified.  

Statement from the Investigatory Powers Commissioner  

Sir Brian Leveson said: “The findings of this investigation are extremely serious, and I want to be direct about what they reveal. MI5’s management of Agent X fell far below the standards the public, the courts and IPCO have every right to expect. Quite apart from whether there had been a departure from NCND, IPCO’s inspection in 2022 identified significant failings in how Agent X was handled as a Covert Human Intelligence Source, and IPCO required immediate and substantial remedial action. MI5 subsequently made significant changes to its policies, practices and procedures, which have been tested at subsequent inspections. MI5’s work in this area is ongoing and IPCO will continue to supervise this through its rigorous inspection programme. 

What makes this case particularly grave is that IPCO and the courts were misled. Failings of candour undermine the entire basis of oversight and accountability.    

I welcome the fact that MI5’s Director General has established a major change programme to address the failings identified in this report. The programme will be subject to ongoing IPCO scrutiny, and I will not hesitate to report further should progress fall short of what is required.   

Sir John Goldring and I will make no further public comment on this matter while legal proceedings continue. The report speaks for itself.”  

The full open report is available here

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: The Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) provides independent rigorous oversight of investigatory powers, ensuring that public authorities use surveillance and covert techniques lawfully, proportionately and with proper authorisation under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. 

Sir Brian Leveson, Investigatory Powers Commissioner has made a single statement on this matter. Neither Sir Brian nor Deputy Commissioner Sir John Goldring will be making further public comment given ongoing legal proceedings.  

The closed version of the report was submitted to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the High Court and the President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on 6 July 2026, in accordance with the Terms of Reference.  The open version was provided to the Government on 8 July 2026 and has been deposited in the Library of both Houses of Parliament.   

The open version of the report is available here.

For media enquires please contact: Press Line: 0300 427 2730 Email: IPCOpressoffice@ipco.org.uk