The threat from hostile states is a growing, diversifying and evolving one, manifesting itself in several different forms. Our espionage laws date back to 1911 and I know my ministerial colleagues are concerned that they do not account for how threats to our national security have changed over time.
As you highlight, the National Security Bill seeks to amend Schedule 4 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 to disapply certain offences, but only where the activity is deemed necessary for the proper exercise of any function of an intelligence service or the Armed Forces and only in support of activity taking place overseas.
This means that where an individual has operated in good faith, and in compliance with all proper processes, they will no longer face the risk of personal criminal liability for those actions under the offences within the Serious Crime Act. Instead, that unfair burden will be removed and accountability will rightly sit at the organisational level.
These measures will provide better protection to those discharging national security functions on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to enable more effective joint working with international partners and to improve operational agility – all of which are essential to the UK Intelligence Community and MOD’s work to counter threats to UK national security.
It is important to stress that the legislation does not create a blanket criminal law immunity. It does not change the application of all other criminal law offences which overlap with those under the Serious Crime Act, including those criminalising torture anywhere in the world. Other offences, such as soliciting murder, misconduct in public office and secondary liability offences would all continue to apply.
There will also be no change to the UK’s international law obligations, including the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and international obligations concerning aid or assistance in the commission of an internationally wrongful act.
The purpose of this element of the legislation therefore is to remove the unintended effect the Serious Crime Act is having on the UK Intelligence Community and Armed Forces, not to make wholesale changes to the UK’s core legal, policy and ethical values. It will ensure that accountability for authorised activity rightly sits with HM Government, rather than individual officers who are taking forward vital work to keep the country safe.