Malcolm Turnbull criticizes UK hypocrisy in Spycatcher case

In the UK, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has publicly criticized the British government for its hypocrisy regarding the Spycatcher affair. Turnbull, who was a barrister for Peter Wright, a former MI5 officer, highlighted the ongoing concealment of secret files related to the case. During the 1986 trial, he exposed the dishonesty of Robert Armstrong, Thatcher's cabinet secretary, who misled the Australian court. Recent declassified documents revealed Armstrong's lies and the extent of the UK government's attempts to suppress information. Turnbull expressed disbelief at Armstrong's audacity to lie under oath, noting that the truth was documented in memos signed by Armstrong himself. He argued that if these documents were accessible to a biographer, they should be available to the public. Turnbull's remarks came during a discussion at the Chelsea history festival, where he reflected on the implications of Armstrong's perjury and the broader issues of transparency and accountability in government. He emphasized that such behavior would be unimaginable in Australia, underscoring the need for integrity in public service. The ongoing refusal to release the 32 Spycatcher files under the Freedom of Information Act raises questions about the UK government's commitment to transparency, as most documents are typically released after 30 years. This situation continues to fuel debates about the legacy of the Spycatcher affair and the actions of MI5.