London - A former MI6 officer has been jailed for 12 months for the unlawful disclosure of information under the Official Secrets Act. Richard Tomlinson (34) had pleaded guilty last month to passing a synopsis of a book about his experiences in the Secret Intelligence Service to an Australian publisher.
Passing sentence at the Old Bailey, the Recorder of London said Tomlinson had been well aware of the harm his disclosures could cause. "It remains the duty of the court to pass a sentence which may deter others from pursuing the course that you chose to pursue," he said. "We are sadly conscious that it may not deter you."