MI5 – Some of my own adventures

There is some accountability, a commission to oversee the investigation of complaints about surveillance by these services. Should a complaint to this tribunal be made, an individual would not be told whether or not they have actually been the target of MI5 surveillance. Under current procedure, they are only told if the tribunal considers MI5 to have acted wrongly. In effect, filling in one of the complaints forms, available from most police stations, simply alerts the security services to the fact that the individual suspects they are being watched (or perhaps, therefore, should be!!!).

On being Watched: http://tash.gn.apc.org/watched1.htm

Photo-Jounalist ‘Hassle’ list: http://tash.gn.apc.org/journo_hassle.htm

Difficulties in taking photographs: http://tash.gn.apc.org/photo_difficult.htm

Some of my ‘assorted legal hassles’ : http://tash.gn.apc.org/legal_assortment.htm

and earlier on this blog at:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_11_03_tash_lodge_archive.html#84117787

This is a copy of the request I made as a ‘Subject Access Request’ to the Security Services. This was done under the powers of the Data Protection Act.

The Enquiries Desk

The Security Service

PO Box 3255

London SW1P 1AE

Sir,

I have become aware of an article in the Guardian titled: ‘Test case allows ‘right to know’ on MI5 files ‘ Richard Norton-Taylor. Tuesday 2nd October 2001.

It appears that the article was written, after a case was argued that members of the public might ask what information about them is held by the Security Services and its various subsidiaries.

As a first enquiry then, I would like to ask you for advice on the proceedures to follow in making such a request.

I believe that the service is comprised of many related organisations, such as Special Branch, National Public Order Intelligence Unit and others. Would you further advise if it is necessary to find and then contact each organisation individually, or, would one enquiry be sufficient to raise such personal information?

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‘Test case allows ‘right to know’ on MI5 files ‘ Richard Norton-Taylor Guardian Tuesday October 2, 2001.

The government’s blanket ban preventing anyone from knowing whether MI5 holds files on them is unlawful, it was ruled yesterday.

In a landmark decision, a special panel of the new information tribunal quashed a claim by Jack Straw when he was home secretary that MI5 should never admit to holding files on an individual, even when the disclosure would not damage national security.

The test case was brought by Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4268111,00.html

I am grateful for any assistance.

Regards

Alan Lodge.

* * * * * *

This is the response of the Security Services to my ‘Subject Access Request’ that I had made under the Data Protection Act.

So basically, in summary, they may have a file on me, but then again, perhaps not 🙂

However, after asking if they have, no doubt they find this request, ‘interesting’.

I recommend this as a ‘ripping read’. and ask you to consider your position, and make your own personal requests. As the title of the last of BBC series states: “It Could Happen To YOU !!”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4268111,00.html

&

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/true_spies/default.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,817849,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,817133,00.html