An urgent investigation has been initiated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) following the discovery of sensitive military documents found strewn across a street in Newcastle. The papers, some marked “official – sensitive,” were discovered on March 16 by Mike Gibbard, a Gateshead resident, as he sought parking prior to attending the Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The documents were found spilling out of a black bin bag in the Scotswood area of the city, and Gibbard reported that the papers contained alarming information related to British Army personnel. The materials included details regarding soldiers’ ranks, shift patterns, email addresses, weapon issue records, and access information for military facilities. Specific sheets reportedly referenced an "armoury keys and hold IDS codes," which is believed to concern an armoury and an intruder detection system.
In his account to the BBC, Gibbard expressed his shock upon discovering the documents. "I peered down and started to see names on bits of papers, and numbers, and I thought ‘what’s that?’” he said. He elaborated that the documents were “piled up against a wall, in a black bag, in the road, underneath cars,” and were further scattered across the pavement. He added that the contents provided extensive information about perimeter checks, patrols, requests for leave, and included personal details of high-ranking officers.
This incident raised immediate concerns regarding national security, as government guidelines indicate that some “official – sensitive” documents could lead to threats to individuals' lives if compromised. Following the discovery, Gibbard reported the find to Northumbria Police, who subsequently transferred the documents to the MoD for further investigation.
In a statement, a MoD spokesperson confirmed awareness of the incident and noted, "We are looking into this urgently and the matter is the subject of an ongoing internal investigation." The spokesperson assured that government protocols recommend sensitive documentation be destroyed using shredders or “burn bags” to prevent any potential breaches of security.
Downing Street has indicated that "appropriate action" will be taken in light of this discovery. A spokesperson stated, “The Ministry of Defence is currently looking at documents handed to the police, but the matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Army.”
Experts have voiced their concerns regarding the implications of such an apparent breach. Cyber security consultant Gary Hibberd highlighted the potential risks associated with the released information, stating, “They could be easily identified through social media, they could potentially be coerced, they could be harassed.”
As the investigation continues, questions are being raised about the procedures related to the handling and disposal of sensitive information within the military, especially given this latest breach, which follows similar incidents in recent years involving the accidental release of classified documents.
Source: Noah Wire Services