Security Clearance (Sc) & My Past

[mhtu111]

Hi,

I have recently had allegations made against me which resulted in a court case. One of the charges I was formally found not guilty in a crown court. The other 3 charges were discontinued before the trial happened in the magistrates court. All charges were part of the same case, the police made a huge deal about an electronics project i was working on which resulted in a road being shut off, the charge was completely dropped in a crown court before it went to trial and i was found not guilty, the others were to do with someone lying to the police about assault to not be taken in for questioning about the electronics project... the whole situation was really stupid but also a nightmare to go through

I have no convictions, however, I have a caution for a minor theft from 6 years ago, I'm not the same person as I was back then, ever since my stupidity from 6 years ago, i have gone to college and achieved top grades and then to a university which is ranked quite high, achieving a first class honours in Computer Science, with a high overall average above 80%

Also, since they do credit checks for SC level clearance, I have a fair credit score for a recent graduate, however, I do have a student overdraft which isn't due to be paid back anytime soon, but i am into it by just over £1000, i don't get charged interest or pressured to pay it back yet, I plan on paying it off as soon as i get a graduate job.

I might require security clearance at SC level, i was wondering if my background would have a significant impact on my chances at obtaining clearance?

Thanks in advance

[Toorak]

My understanding is that you have no convictions or other adverse financial circumstances and therefore nothing to worry about, however others who are legally qualified may have other advice

[bednobs]

You will obviously haveto declare all of that both in writing and probably at a face to face interview. I guess it will ultimately be down to the vetting people whether those things pose too high a risk to gI've you clearance and that might also depend on what the job actually is

[malagabob]

Depends what the SC is for. Is it for MOD, Airport, HMP, other. Not declaring anything could work against you.

[Rockrose]

Declare everything and the vetters will make the decision

[bhg481]

As others have said - tell them everything and don't even think about hiding anything. Depending on the level of clearance you'll have an interview and they're likely to talk to people such as neighbours, ex-neighbours etc; if you try to cover anything up they WILL find out about it and it could cost you. Blackmail is one of the worries of the security services; if you are open about things it shows them that you are not susceptible.

[murraymints]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance

[murraymints]

my ex was responsible for health and safety in all military bases in Norfolk/Suffolk... we both had to be security screened and they asked many friends from way back questions regarding us...my phone was also tapped for a while prior to a dinner party I hosted which included MI5 boss...house was swept for bugs and devices...

[EDDIE51]

As said , be totally open about everything. Let them decide. I think it will be fine. But failing to declare will mean you are immediately and permanently rejected.

[mhtu111]

"Depends what the SC is for. Is it for MOD, Airport, HMP, other. Not declaring anything could work against you."

It is for a software company that works closely with the MOD, I plan to disclose everything and be completely honest, however, I'm not even sure I would need to disclose my recent arrest/charges because they didn't lead to any convictions?

[Rockrose]

Yes still declare it - if you don't it will look like you are trying to hide it.

[Peter Pedant]

Lots of different answer to a lot of different questions

My take is : that this is a question on - does the PNC contain information that does not related to convictions

and the answer is - you bet it does

There is a recent case ( Times Law Report) where a person doesnt like an entry in the PNC which he says ( correctly ) is largely subjective - and the opinion of the officer entering it.
I think he said it was unfair as he didnt have a chance to disput it. He had been acquitted of a sex case and the officer wrote nit was very suspicious and the petitioner said no it wasnt actually

Their lordships said it bascially didnt matter and any rules the petitioner said applied - didnt. The said the test was something like the officer has to think to herslef - s this likely to true? and if she came up with 'yes' she crould write any old buull;ox

Oh and if you tell them you read the advice ( not took it - no one does that) of someone who went later to the same Cambridge College as Donald MacLean - then you really WILL harm your chances.

[mhtu111]

"does the PNC contain information that does not relate to convictions, and the answer is - you bet it does "

Would arrest records that do not lead to a conviction/caution have any effect on my application for security clearance?

[Rockrose]

As has been stated it is up to the Vetters to look at your application and make that decision - no one can tell you if it would make a difference as Vetting is a very complex area.

[bednobs]

However you need to bear in mind that they probably already know the answer to any questions they ask you!