Case study A11/4
MI6
Identify
Counter-proliferation
This study, from early 2015, involved the use of BPDs to identify an individual who could
be approached to report on the weapons capability of a potentially hostile state. Cathryn
McGahey QC was shown contemporaneous documents which showed that the approach
was successful and which included examples of the reports provided to MI6 by that
individual. The Review team was given details which demonstrated that (i) no reasonable
alternative to the use of BPDs could have been used to identify the pool from which a
small number of eligible individuals were eventually selected; and (ii) the objective was
one of substantial importance to the UK.
Case study A11/5
MI6, MI5 and GCHQ
Identify/target discovery and development
Counter-terrorism
In mid-2016, following attacks in Paris and Brussels, MI6 worked in partnership with MI5
and GCHQ to identify individuals in ISIL networks who posed a threat to the UK. MI6
used BPDs to identify a number of such individuals. Without the use of BPDs, it would
not have been possible to identify these individuals. Following this work, the SIAs were
able to take steps to reduce the threat that they posed to the UK.
Case study A11/6
MI6
Identify/target discovery
Counter-terrorism
Since 2014, MI6 has been tasked with collecting intelligence on the membership of ISIL.
In early 2016, the media reported the existence of approximately 20,000 leaked ISIL
registration papers. However, in most cases the information in the documents was not of
sufficient quality to enable the SIAs to make a positive identification, with high
confidence, of members of ISIL who might pose a threat to the UK. It was only when this
information was combined with information obtained from BPDs that MI6 was able
positively to identify a number of individuals on the list who posed a threat to national
security.
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