The Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It repeals and replaces section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. It is said to have removed the public interest defence created by that section.
Lord Bingham said that the white paper "Reform of Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911" (Cm. 408) (June 1988) was the immediate precursor of this Act and that its recommendations bear directly on the interpretation of this Act.
It is not a defence under the Act that the disclosure is in the national or public interest.
Famous quotes containing the words official, secrets and/or act:
“All official institutions of language are repeating machines: school, sports, advertising, popular songs, news, all continually repeat the same structure, the same meaning, often the same words: the stereotype is a political fact, the major figure of ideology.”
—Roland Barthes (1915–1980)
“My secrets are petty but humiliating.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Yes, having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.”
—Bill Cosby (20th century)