Part 1 U.K. Powers to gather and share information

Disclosure of information and the intelligence services U.K.

19 Disclosure and the intelligence services U.K.

(1) A person may disclose information to any of the intelligence services for the purposes of the exercise by that service of any of its functions.

(2) Information obtained by any of the intelligence services in connection with the exercise of any of its functions may be used by that service in connection with the exercise of any of its other functions.

(3) Information obtained by the Security Service for the purposes of any of its functions may be disclosed by it—

(a) for the purpose of the proper discharge of its functions,

(b) for the purpose of the prevention or detection of serious crime, or

(c) for the purpose of any criminal proceedings.

(4) Information obtained by the Secret Intelligence Service for the purposes of any of its functions may be disclosed by it—

(a) for the purpose of the proper discharge of its functions,

(b) in the interests of national security,

(c) for the purpose of the prevention or detection of serious crime, or

(d) for the purpose of any criminal proceedings.

(5) Information obtained by GCHQ for the purposes of any of its functions may be disclosed by it—

(a) for the purpose of the proper discharge of its functions, or

(b) for the purpose of any criminal proceedings.

(6) A disclosure under this section does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(7) The provisions of this section are subject to section 20 (savings and other supplementary provisions).

Commencement Information

I1 S. 19 in force at 24.12.2008 by S.I. 2008/3296, art. 2