IPCO receives Prime Ministerial Direction for Agent X investigation  

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner has received a Direction from the Prime Minister to investigate 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.  

Sir Brian Leveson, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, has asked the Deputy Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir John Goldring, to take the lead on this investigation. Sir John will be supported by a small investigation team. The costs for the investigation will be met by the Government. The IPC will update the Prime Minister on progress in advance of 3 October 2025 to comply with both the Divisional Court’s Order of 2 July 2025 and the formal request from the President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal of 30 July 2025.  

Following completion of the investigation, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner will send a report to the Prime Minister setting out Sir John’s findings. A copy of the report will also be sent to the Home Secretary, the High Court and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. A version of the report will be made public.  

Sir Brian Leveson said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s Direction and IPCO will conduct a robust and independent investigation. The investigation will examine all relevant materials and interview key individuals. I have received Sir Ken McCallum’s assurance that the inspection team will have access to legally privileged material where this is required. Sir John Goldring brings considerable expertise to leading this investigation, and he will apply rigorous scrutiny to produce a comprehensive report.” 

The Prime Minister’s Direction and Terms of Reference are available on our website here. 

The Prime Minister’s letter to Sir Brian Leveson setting out the Direction is available here. 

ENDS  

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Press Line: 0300 427 2730 | 07356 190877     

Email: IPCOpressoffice@ipco.org.uk     

Notes to Editors  

IPCO provides independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers by intelligence agencies, police forces and other public authorities. The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, and his Judicial Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the use of investigatory powers by public authorities which include law enforcement, the intelligence agencies, prisons, local authorities and other government agencies (e.g. regulators). In total over 600 public authorities and institutions have investigatory powers. Further information about IPCO is here: www.ipco.org.uk/  

Sir John Goldring’s biography is available on the IPCO website here: Judicial Commissioners – IPCO