Ex-spy threatens further revelations

David Shayler wants to strike an immunity deal

Former MI5 man David Shayler is threatening to reveal more secrets on the Internet unless the government strikes an immunity deal with him.

The former spy is still living in France, but he wants to be able to come back to the UK without fear of arrest.

Judges in Frances ruled against a UK Government extradition request for him to face charges of breaching the Official Secrets Act.

Since he was released from prison last month Mr Shayler has said he would be prepared to negotiate a deal under which he would not make further revelations without permission if he was allowed immunity.

More secrets may be published on the Internet

He told a radio interviewer on Wednesday that he still wanted to reach agreement with the government to allow him to come home.

But he added: "I don't want to reveal more on the Internet, but if I don't get a deal with the government, it's something I have to consider.

"You can never say never. I don't want to rule that out, but I don't want to do it at the moment."

The former spy said his chances of coming home looked slim at the moment.

Ministers have denied his claim that British agents helped organise a failed assassination attempt against the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

On 18 November a Paris court threw out the UK's attempt to have Mr Shayler extradited from France, ruling that the case against him was "politically motivated".