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The Security Service does not have a Press Office and does not comment on intelligence matters. The Home Office issues statements relating to our work from time to time and we link to these on this page, along with any other relevant official announcements. This page also highlights new features added to our website. Earlier news items may be accessed via the archive links on the right.
RELEASE OF FILES BY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (01.09.08)
The National Archives has released the latest set of historical Security Service files, bringing the total on public display to approximately 4,000. Most of the files relate to the Second World War, though many cover the inter-war and post-war periods as well. Of the personal files in this release, the most notable include those relating to the Czechoslovak president Eduard Benes; brother of Lord Haw-Haw Quentin Joyce; James Lonsdale-Bryans, supposed envoy from Lord Halifax to the German hierarchy; British "Scarlet Pimpernel" escaper from Nazi custody Francis Mumme; head of post-Second World War West German intelligence Reinhard von Gehlen; Communist Cambridge scientist and contact of Guy Burgess, Peter Astbury. For more information, please click on this item's headline.
TERRORIST TRIAL CONVICTIONS (22.08.08)
Three men were convicted of Terrorism Act offences at Blackfriars Crown Court on 18 August 2008. Aabid Khan was a terrorist facilitator with international connections and the leader of a cell which gathered a library of terrorism information helpful to those plotting attacks. Together with Sultan Muhammed and Hammaad Munshi, Aabid Khan was a committed and active supporter of Al Qaida ideology.
PRE-CHARGE DETENTION LIMITS (09.06.08)
Jonathan Evans, Director General of the Security Service, has issued a statement concerning recent media reporting on the issue of pre-detention time limits. Please click on the headline to read the statement.
RELEASE OF FILES BY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (04.03.08)
The National Archives have today released the latest set of historical Security Service files, bringing the total on public display to nearly 4,000. Most of the files relate to the Second World War, though many cover the inter-war and post-war periods as well. Some of the most notable relate to the left-wing actress and producer Joan Littlewood; the Hungarian astrologer Louis de Wohl, who was employed by the Special Operations Executive on the assumption that as Hitler was believed to be influenced heavily by astrology, the British could influence his thinking by employing their own official astrologer; Dennis Kendall, the MP for Grantham and Cleethorpes, who was believed to be involved in gun-running, smuggling and other black market activities; and the British Free Corps, a military unit staffed by British PoWs who had been recruited by the Germans to fight the Russians. For more information, please click on this item's headline.
TERRORIST RECRUITERS CONVICTED (27.02.08)
Four London men have been found guilty and another three have admitted a range of terrorist offences in a five-month trial held at Woolwich Crown Court. The court heard that the ringleaders of the group sought to radicalise young men in London and encourage them to murder non-Muslims. For more information, please click on this item's headline.