British Govt Orders Inquiry Into ‘sex-for-secrets’... (Press, 1 November 1985)

On 1 November 1985, the British Government announced an independent inquiry into allegations surrounding the Cyprus spy case, acknowledging claims of incompetence and brutality by military police that necessitated investigation. However, the government rejected calls for compensation for the seven servicemen who had been previously acquitted of charges related to passing secrets to Soviet agents. This decision follows the conclusion of a lengthy trial that lasted 119 days and cost approximately £5 million, during which the credibility of military interrogation methods was brought into serious question. On 28 October 1985, the final two servicemen from the group were found not guilty at the Old Bailey, concluding a highly publicized case that began with accusations of blackmail and sexual impropriety. The defence highlighted that most of the trial was conducted in secret and questioned whether any classified information had actually gone missing from the base in Cyprus where the servicemen were stationed. During the trial, testimonies revealed shocking interrogation tactics employed by service police, including extreme sleep deprivation and coercive questioning, leading one of the acquitted servicemen, Aircraftman Christopher Payne, to attempt suicide twice in response to the treatment he received. Minister of Armed Forces, Mr John Stanley, addressed these allegations in the House of Commons, stating that an inquiry led by barrister David Calcutt would investigate the actions of the military police involved in the case, underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of these officers. Mr Stanley also noted that while the allegations were severe, it was essential to wait for the inquiry's findings before making any conclusions. Serving as a backdrop to this inquiry are broader concerns regarding the functioning of military justice and the accountability of those who enforce the Official Secrets Act, particularly following a series of failed prosecutions related to national security. The ruling against the servicemen, who had claimed they were coerced into espionage through sexual blackmail, serves as a significant blow to security services and adds to a growing list of instances where such prosecutions have failed. The episode has incited debate about the operations of military police and the treatment of individuals under investigation, raising serious questions about the future of security protocols and the handling of the Official Secrets Act in the UK.

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