Minister initiates criminal inquiry into Regar’s ‘breach of State security’ |26 July 2010

The article, which appeared in last week’s edition, made public details of plans for a new coast guard base on Perseverance Island.

Minister Morgan – who was speaking to the press yesterday morning at his Independence House office – said the situation is being treated with the utmost seriousness, since under the State Security Act, it is a criminal offence to give or publish information on an installation which is considered an official secret.

“The government is treating this as a serious breach of national security,” he said.

“A military base is essential for the security of the country and its people. If today we have achieved a degree of success over our maritime security, especially concerning piracy issues, it is thanks to our defence forces and our coast guard.”

He added that the need for a new coastguard base will serve two main purposes – which are to modernise our facilities and equipment, and also free up much-needed space for the expansion of the commercial port.

“It is most unfortunate that as we combine efforts to move forward on such a project, there is a group of people who have irresponsibly published information compromising state security and also putting at risk the lives of people at sea,” he said.

After presenting the matter to the Attorney General, it was established that State security had been breached, after which Minister Morgan instructed Police Commissioner Ernest Quatre to carry out a criminal investigation.

“With plans of the new base already circulating on the internet, it is quite possible that terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab or Somali pirates already have a copy and this can potentially affect all our efforts to safeguard our country and our sovereignty,” he said.

The minister said all efforts would be made to keep the case as transparent as possible, which for now will be dealt with internally, but if necessary will involve bringing in overseas organisations such as Interpol.

Commissioner Quatre said there are various charges which the prosecution can bring against the accused over such an offence, depending on the evidence they have gathered.

He said the case is progressing quite rapidly, and although no official arrests have been made yet, the case has been given a certain priority.