Resumen
The Official Secrets Act 1989 replaced the 'catch-all' section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. It creates specific offences for unauthorised disclosure of information in six protected categories by Crown servants and government contractors.
Puntos clave
- Six protected categories: security and intelligence, defence, international relations, crime and special investigation powers, information from warrants/intercepts, confidential information from other states
- Crown servants and government contractors liable for unauthorised disclosure
- No public interest defence
- Offence for anyone to disclose information from security/intelligence services if disclosure is damaging
- Maximum 2 years' imprisonment (or 14 years under OSA 1911 for espionage)