The decision follows proceedings in Beth v Investigatory Powers Tribunal v BBC, legal action taken after the broadcaster investigated an MI5 agent who “used his role to coercively control his girlfriend”.
The agent, known only as Agent X, was accused of being a “dangerous extremist and misogynist” who “physically and psychologically abused two former female partners”, including Beth.
MI5 then gave false evidence to three courts about conversations between them and the BBC concerning the agent.
In July 2025, the three judges asked MI5’s watchdog to investigate how it came to provide false evidence.
