LONDON, Nov 23: The British government on Tuesday night threatened media organizations with prosecution under the Official Secrets Act if they publish details or contents of a leaked document reportedly showing US President George Bush had planned to bomb Al Jazeera television channel last year.
On Tuesday, the Daily Mirror had published a front-page story with the headline, ‘Bush plot to bomb his ally’, reporting from a secret official memo that the president last year planned to attack the Al Jazeera television station, but was dissuaded from doing so by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In an unusual move, Attorney-General Peter Goldsmith referred editors to newspaper stories on the contents of a memo supposed to have been at the centre of charges against two men under the Secrets Act.
On Wednesday, the Mirror said it had agreed to abide by the gagging orders. “We have essentially agreed to comply,” the paper said.
Editor Richard Wallace said: “We made No 10 (Downing Street – the official residence of the prime minister) fully aware of the intention to publish and were given ‘no comment’ officially or unofficially. Suddenly 24 hours later we are threatened under section 5 (of the Secrets Act).
AL JAZEERA REACTION: The Al Jazeera urged Britain and the US to investigate the report.
“If the report is correct then this would be both shocking and worrisome not only to Al Jazeera but to media organizations across the world. It would cast serious doubts in regard to the US administration’s version of previous incidents involving Al Jazeera’s journalists and offices,” said a spokesman.
