Whitehall leak the agenda as
Leadership rivals defend freedom of press during Tory hustings
Boris Johnson yesterday admitted that the leak of diplomatic cables criticising Donald Trump were “embarrassing” but insisted that they were not a threat to national security.
Scotland Yard launched a criminal investigation into the leak of emails sent by Britain’s US ambassador Sir Kim Darroch on Friday.
But Johnson said the prosecution of journalists would have a “chilling effect” on public debate.
The secret cables described Trump’s White House as “inept” and “dysfunctional”, prompting a furious response by the US President.
Johnson, previously described by Trump as “a friend of mine”, refused to support the diplomat in a debate with Jeremy Hunt, prompting the ambassador’s resignation on Wednesday.
But yesterday Johnson told Tory supporters that he was opposed to the prosecution of journalists if they publish any more leaked diplomatic cables from Sir Kim.
He said at a Tory leadership hustings in Bedfordshire: “In my view there is no threat to national security implied by the release of this material. It is embarrassing but it is not a threat to national security.
“It is the duty of media organisations to bring new and interesting facts into the public domain. That is what they are there for.
“A prosecution on this basis would amount to an infringement on press freedom and have a chilling effect on public debate. That is my view.”
His rival Jeremy Hunt earlier tweeted to also criticise the Metropolitan Police for its warning to journalists.
He said: “These leaks damaged UK/ US relations and cost a loyal ambassador his job so the person responsible must be held fully to account. But I