'Sack source of government security leaks', Shropshire MP tells Commons

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said the recent leak of sensitive information from a meeting of the National Security Council was a gross betrayal of trust which needed a strong response.

Last week the Government launched an inquiry into the leak, which revealed that the Prime Minister had initially supported allowing the US to use British airbases for political reasons, but was over-ruled following opposition from four cabinet ministers, led by Ed Miliband.

He later agreed to allow the US to use them for defensive purposes.

The Government’s security group last week launched an inquiry to find who was behind the leak, and Mr Pritchard told the Commons that whoever was responsible must lose their job.

“The very least that our armed forces should expect when they are being sent into harm’s way is for the political leadership of this country to not leak secret and top-secret information,” he said.

“Whoever it is, a cabinet Minister, a senior official or a junior official, when caught, they should be sacked. “

Defence Secretary John Healey replied that the Prime Minister was committed to finding out who had leaked the information, and ensuring they were dealt with appropriately.

“I do not think anyone can doubt the determination of the Prime Minister to prevent such actions or to take the action required when such activities are going on,” he said.