UK in temporary truce with WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks said on its Twitter webpage on Thursday that an official inquiry, tasked by British Prime Minister David Cameron with looking into the culture and ethics of the British media with a focus on the News of the World phone hacking fiasco, has asked the website for related information.

“Leveson Inquiry has asked WikiLeaks for a submission on corruption in the UK press. We have submitted over 100 pages,” a WikiLeaks Tweet read.

This comes as Cameron’s office condemned WikiLeaks back in November 2010 for publishing the huge collection of military records that led to the US diplomatic cables leak, named the biggest leak in intelligence history.

“Clearly, we condemn the unauthorised release of classified information. The leaks and their publication are damaging to national security in the United States and in Britain and elsewhere. It’s important governments are able to operate on the basis of confidentiality of information,” a Downing Street spokesman said at the time.

Following the disclosure, the government also asked media outlets to inform the government before publishing any material exposed by WikiLeaks that may be damaging to the government.

WikiLeaks said on its Twitter page on Friday November 26, 2010 that the Downing Street has issued D-notices to British media to watch what they publish.

“UK Government has issued a ‘D-notice’ warning to all UK news editors, asking to be briefed on upcoming WikiLeaks stories,” WikiLeaks said.

The website also said the British government had issued D-Notice 1 and D-Notice 5. The former has to do with intelligence on military operations, plans and capabilities and the latter with UK security and intelligence services and special services.

WikiLeaks added that the D-Notice 5 called on media to withhold material “normally regarded as highly classical” from publication.

“It is requested that such information, unless it has been the subject of an official announcement or has been widely disclosed or discussed, should not be published without first seeking advice,” WikiLeaks said the notice read.

Indeed, it appears that the government likes WikiLeaks as long as it goes with the tide of British policies and hates it when it goes against that current in a clear exercise of double standards on the freedom of speech.

AMR/HJL/HE

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