The Metropolitan police will only open a criminal investigation into allegations that Gavin Williamson leaked details of intelligence discussions on a referral from the Cabinet Office.  Partner Anna Bradshaw spoke to the Independent on the elements of an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1989, and the requirement for disclosures to be “damaging”.  Anna is quoted explaining: “the damage does not have to materialise for the law to be broken. It is potentially applicable to such a broad range of scenarios that the requirement for authorisation [from the director of public prosecutions or attorney general] acts as a safeguard against over-enthusiastic prosecutions. She further says, “It’s difficult to imagine something that wouldn’t potentially be in scope of the law because of the wording of all the provisions. It’s deliberately drafted widely.” Read more