Short stands by bugging comments
Clare Short last night defended her decision to go public with allegations that British intelligence bugged UN chief Kofi Annan in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.
The former international development secretary made her revelations during an interview on the Today programme yesterday.
Despite attracting criticism from the prime minister, Ms Short was unrepentant last night.
“I think it was the right thing to do because there is no national interest involved,” she told Channel Four News. “I thought by making it public it would be brought to an end and I am sure it will.”
Ms Short’s comments followed the collapse of a court case involving a former GCHQ translator facing charges under the Official Secrets Act.
Katherine Gun leaked sensitive material to the press that led to allegations that British intelligence had been asked by the Americans to bug key UN delegates ahead of the Iraq war.
During his monthly press conference yesterday Tony Blair faced some tough questions over Ms Short’s comments and the Gun case.
The PM told reporters that he could not comment on the activities of the intelligence services, but denounced his former cabinet colleague’s actions as “the height of irresponsibility”.
