'Secrets leak' Met worker charged

Thomas Lund-Lack is charged under the Official Secrets Act

A member of Metropolitan Police staff has appeared in court charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act in relation to a counter-terrorism report.

It is alleged Thomas Lund-Lack, 59, based at New Scotland Yard, disclosed a document to a Sunday Times journalist.

An article in the paper in April said Iraq-based al-Qaeda leaders were planning UK terror attacks.

Mr Lund-Lack, who is also charged with misconduct, was remanded in custody by City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

His next court appearance will be at the Old Bailey on 1 June.

Scotland Yard has confirmed that Mr Lund-Lack worked in the Met's counter-terrorism unit.

According to the charge, he "did without lawful authority make a damaging disclosure of information relating to security or intelligence, namely a Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre document".

The other charge relates to "wilful misconduct in a judicial or public office" and alleges he disclosed secret documents to a Sunday Times journalist, knowing the information would be published.