Britiain says seized Snowden documents a ‘threat to life’
Documents seized from the partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald might threaten Britain's national security, damage the economy and lead to "widespread loss of life", a government adviser said.
Documents seized from the partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald might threaten Britain's national security, damage the economy and lead to "widespread loss of life", a government adviser said.
The information, taken from David Miranda on August 18 at Heathrow Airport, "is highly likely to describe techniques which have been crucial in life-saving counter-terrorist operations" and could identify British intelligence agents abroad, Oliver Robbins, a UK national security adviser, said in documents released during a court hearing.
The information [taken from David Miranda] 'is highly likely to describe techniques which have been crucial in life-saving counter-terrorist operations' and could identify British intelligence agents abroad
It was the first time the government had offered specific reasoning behind why security services and police are so concerned about material seized from Miranda.
Greenwald has written stories based on material leaked by former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Robbins also said that Miranda and others had shown "very poor judgement in their security arrangements", including carrying a piece of paper containing the password for encrypted files.
He said media stories about the documents seized from Miranda had already caused harm.