Secrets Case Held in Secret

The pre-trial hearing of two men accused of leaking a memo that recorded George W. Bush’s proposal to bomb Al-Jazeera has been held in secret at the Old Bailey.

David Keogh and Leo O’Connor have been charged under the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Justice Aikens ordered that the session was held in secret following his earlier ruling that the public should not hear parts of the case which could affect national security.

Mr Keogh, a former Cabinet Office official, denies two charges of making a damaging disclosure of part of a government document in his possession as a Crown servant without lawful authority.

Mr O’Connor, a former researcher for an MP, denies a charge of making a damaging disclosure of a document passed to him illegally.

The trial will take place on April 18 next year.