A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “On Monday the Metropolitan Police asked the CPS for advice in relation to seeking a production order against Guardian Newspapers. The CPS has asked that more information be provided to its lawyers and has said that more time will be needed fully to consider the matter. As a result the scheduled court hearing will not go ahead on Friday. The MPS will consider what application, if any, it will make in due course, once it has received advice from the CPS.”
Additional information:
- Prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act require either Attorney General’s consent or, if the offence is under s.4(2) of the Act, DPP consent.
- A production order would be sought under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. This is an investigatory matter which does not require either AG or DPP consent.
