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A secret inquiry by MI5's watchdog has concluded the security service knew an abusive spy it defended in court was a misogynist who was obsessed with violence. The BBC can reveal. The inquiry took place after BBC News originally exposed how MI5 had covered up for the man known publicly as Agent X who was a neo-Nazi informant who attacked his girlfriend with a machete. The government took the BBC to court in 2022 in a failed attempt to block our investigation. Daniel Dimony reports. An MI5 agent and a violent neo-Nazi abuser. It was years of control and violence. Four years ago, MI5 took the BBC to court to try and stop our investigation into Agent X's abuse of women, claiming our evidence lacked credibility.
So, have their organization justly criticized by the courts is an experience no serious leader ever wants. They failed and our investigation has changed how they operate. Agent X used his role to coersse his then girlfriend Beth. And this year, MI5 paid her compensation to settle a legal claim. Look at yourself. He would force himself on me and I felt too afraid to say no. And it culminated in him attacking me with a huge machete.
He told me every time that I said I wanted to leave that he would kill me and that he get away with it because of who he was. And he told me that his handlers knew about the violence. Now, for the first time, we can reveal that a secret inquiry by MI5's watchdog concluded the security service knew that Agent X was a misogynist who was obsessed with violence. The secret inquiry was conducted by the Office of the Investigative Powers Commissioner. It found that not even a video of Agent X threatening his girlfriend with a machete led to MI5 reviewing his suitability as an agent. The inquiry said it should have done.
The watchdog says it demanded action on a range of serious failings with MI5 subsequently making significant changes to its policies, practices, and procedures. I'd like to see a full apology for the fact that they were actually willing to use somebody like X and the fact that they were aware of his abuse towards me and they did nothing at all. In a statement, the government said, "The abuse suffered by the woman in this case known as Beth was abhorrent and we extend our sincere sympathies to her." It added, "The use of agents is fundamental to MI5's ability to keep the UK safe, and MI5's procedures have been
improved in response to learnings. MI5 is under official investigation for giving false evidence to three courts in Beth's case with a major report due to be handed to the prime minister imminently." Daniel Desimony, BBC News.
