Case Ends Against British Official Who Leaked Documents Dealing With Rendition

The British government has dropped the case against Derek Pasquill, accused under the Official Secrets Act of leaking information to the press concerning the US practice of rendition, after a nearly two year investigation. The government bore the burden of proving that the leak had caused damage to the country's national security, which was becoming increasingly difficult to demonstrate. Mr. Pasquill had been suspended with pay during the investigation. Sources said that a number of current officials would probably have been called to testify for the defense. Mr. Pasquill continues to defend his decision to release the information, saying, ""I realised that is a dangerous way to proceed, but this was an issue which was obviously of public interest given the circumstances we are in at the moment in the UK and the world." Here's more from the Guardian, and more from the New Statesman.