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MI5 lied to courts to defend handling of violent neo-Nazi agent

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76% Informative

MI5 lied to courts to protect violent neo- Nazi spy who attacked his girlfriend with a machete.

Security Service told judges it had stuck to its policy of not confirming or denying informants' identities.

In fact, MI5 disclosed the man's status in phone calls to me, as it tried to persuade me not to investigate the man - known publicly only as agent X.

MI5 has now issued an "unreserved apology" to the BBC and all three courts, describing what happened as a "serious error".

Senior MI5 officer told me disclosure of agent's status had been legally authorised.

It means it had been signed off by lawyers and other senior figures in MI5 .

The Home Office and Cabinet Office should have been informed, according to policy for departures from NCND .

MI5 deputy director Witness A has apologised for giving incorrect evidence.

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