OpenLegislation

Section 1 Obtaining or disclosing protected informationI1I2

United Kingdom

(1)

A person commits an offence if—

(a)

the person—

(i)

obtains, copies, records or retains protected information, or

(ii)

discloses or provides access to protected information,

(b)

the person’s conduct is for a purpose that they know, or having regard to other matters known to them ought reasonably to know, is prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and

(c)

the foreign power condition F1or the designated body condition is met in relation to the person’s conduct (see F2sections 31 and 33B).

(2)

In this section “protected information” means any information, document or other article where, for the purpose of protecting the safety or interests of the United Kingdom—

(a)

access to the information, document or other article is restricted in any way, or

(b)

it is reasonable to expect that access to the information, document or other article would be restricted in any way.

(3)

Subsection (1) applies whether the person’s conduct takes place in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(4)

A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a fine (or both).

(5)

For the purposes of this section—

(a)

a person retains protected information if the person retains it in their possession or under their control;

(b)

disclosure includes parting with possession.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Words in s. 1(1)(c) inserted (8.7.2026) by National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 (c. 24), s. 7(1), Sch. para. 15(a)

F2

Words in s. 1(1)(c) substituted (8.7.2026) by National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 (c. 24), s. 7(1), Sch. para. 15(b)

Commencement

I1

S. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 100(1)

I2

S. 1 in force at 20.12.2023 by S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(a)