official secrets act

[mollykins]

Google won't let me search for what happens if you break this, so what does happen?

I imagine in the olden days you'd be hung etc but that isn't an option now, so life inprisonment?

[Buenchico]

There isn't actually a single Official Secrets Act. There are provisions of the various Acts passed in 1911, 1920, 1939 and 1989 which all still form part of statute law.

The 1911 Act defines spying to be a felony:
http://tinyurl.com/392rlc8
The 1920 Act states that a relevant felony will be punished by a prison sentence of between 3 and 14 years:
http://tinyurl.com/37ydqq6

Chris

[hc4361]

Prison.
This is an ongoing case that will interest you.
http://www.belfasttel...secrets-14875916.html

[buildersmate]

In this case (which involved GCCQ and the decision to go to war with Iraq) the individual got off relatively lightly - she was merely fired.
http://www.legalsprin...-charges-dropped.html

[jake-the-peg]

(1) A person guilty of an offence under any provision of this Act other than section 8(1), (4) or (5) shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under section 8(1), (4) or (5) above shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or both.

[mollykins]

hhmmmm interesting thanks guys.

[mollykins]

Does your sentence depend on how bad the secret was you leaked?

[mollykins]

For example my mum signed it because she worked in the tax office but saying what she sees wouldn't be as bad as a politician or someone similar who leaks information that could lead to a war is it?