Ricin Ring update

Earlier this year I said that the Guardian had removed an article from its website over the failed ricin-ring plot.

Spy Blog have an update which links to official Guardian version over what happened – the DID have a D-Notice; however, as Spy Blog point out they are only advisory, not mandatory. Also, the Guardian admit that no Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificate was handed out by the court, which is the normal way to restrict reporting, which, in this case, was due to naming witnesses:

Despite several requests, the MoD and the Crown Prosecution Service failed to provide the Guardian with a copy of the order. However, its lawyers spoke to the prosecution and defence lawyers in the case, who confirmed that the judge had granted an unopposed application to protect the identity of Porton Down witnesses. Apparently, they were not named in open court and they were screened from the jury when they gave evidence. No order was posted in the court press room - the usual practice with reporting restrictions - and Mr Campbell was not at court.

As Spy Blog mention it’s interesting that this happened in the run up to the election & it worth pointing out that the Guardian didn’t mention the PII certificate.