Latest news with #securityclearance
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian army officer stripped of security clearance over Israel loyalty leaves defence force
An officer in the Australian army, stripped of his security clearance because Asio believed he was more loyal to Israel, has left the Australian defence force. In February, Guardian Australia revealed the man had his clearance revoked after the administrative review tribunal (ART) upheld Asio's assessment that he was not of 'appropriate character and trustworthiness to hold any security clearance'. At the time of the ART decision, the man was in the inactive reserve pending administrative action but Guardian Australia understands he has now left the ADF. The man, anonymised in the ruling as HWMW, had told Asio interviewers he did not view Israel as a foreign government and that he would share classified information with the Israel Defense Forces if asked. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Asio said the officer, who is Jewish and had served 19 years in the Australian military, withheld information from Australian officials about training courses he undertook in Israel – where he is not a citizen – in 2016 and 2019, which included self-defence, security and firearms training. The training was for a Sydney community security group (CSG) – an organisation that provides security and intelligence services to the Jewish community – in which he volunteered between 2014 and 2023. The officer had said in cross-examination that withholding the information was not a lie but not a 'complete disclosure'. HWMW told interviewers the CSG training he did could be considered a 'natural recruiting pool' for the Mossad, which would probably be aware of the courses. The Greens senator and defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, questioned defence officials in Senate estimates in February on whether there had been any review undertaken of ADF members who may have undertaken similar training by CSG 'that makes them incredibly susceptible to recruitment by a foreign government'. In a response tabled in the Senate this week, defence stated all security clearance holders have their suitability to hold the clearance reviewed on a regular basis, and an assessment of external loyalties is a key part of this process. 'Security clearance holders are required to report foreign contacts, in addition to a range of other issues that may impact their suitability to hold a clearance,' the department stated. Shoebridge said on Friday the department had failed to answer his question on whether a review of CSG groups had been undertaken. 'This should have been a simple exercise, having discovered an ADF member undertook secret training associated with a foreign government, then the exit should have been rapid,' he said. '[In defence] overarching loyalty to the US and its allies is seen as normal and entirely consistent with Australia's national interest. 'It is not, and this shows again the lack of genuine independence in so much of our defence and foreign policy.' The Asio director general, Mike Burgess, told Senate estimates in February that the case raised 'potential concerns' but said: 'I want to be clear here on the public record – there is nothing wrong with the community security groups'. He said, however, that it was important for people to be transparent about their involvement with the groups in overseas training. '[CSGs] perform a decent function, an important function, especially in times like this, [the] training they might provide to help provide security to members of the Jewish community is fine,' Burgess said. 'Of course, there is an element of that that in some cases it may be the case that that training done overseas in Israel might present an opportunity.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess of Belgium Defends Prince Harry Amid 'Terrible' Family Feud
Originally appeared on E! Online Princess Delphine is stepping up for Prince Harry. Amid the Duke of Sussex's ongoing fight for security clearance in the United Kingdom—five years after he and wife left the royal family—the Belgium princess expressed her empathy. 'I understand the guy, he's just traumatized,' Princess Delphine explained on the It's Reigning Men podcast July 15. 'He's doing these things and everyone is bullying him, but not thinking about his trauma and I just find it terrible because I feel like he's been kind of left.' Indeed, the 57-year-old—who was born out of an extramarital affair of King Albert II and spent years fighting for royal recognition until it was granted in 2020—posited that Harry, dad to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, is still suffering from the 1997 death of his and Prince William's mother . 'She had these children and the death was just horrible,' Delphine continued. 'Especially seeing these two children, left by a really natural, nice, normal motherly woman. So they lost such an important figure and I feel very sorry for Harry because I think that was traumatic for him.' More from E! Online Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Put on Leave After Coldplay Concert Video NFL Star Ryan Russell's Boyfriend Corey O'Brien Shares Steamy Relationship Update Chris Hemsworth's Mini-Me Twin Sons Steal Spotlight in Rare Red Carpet Appearance Delphine went so far as to express her belief that Harry's fight for his family's royal security protection is a result of the late princess' death, adding, 'It's to do with what happened to his mother.' And while Harry lost his latest appeal for security clearance in May, Delphine argued that the legal system was not understanding of the 40-year-old's life experience. 'They say, 'Well he's a grown up now,'' she continued. 'You're never a grown up, you're still the child, even if you're 70 and you still have your parents, you're still the child.' The Belgium princess admitted that while she does not pay much attention to other royal family news, she has a soft spot for both Harry and William. As she put it, 'I feel very sort of protective of them because I feel like I grew up with them.' For his part, Harry has also expressed hope that he can end the longstanding feud between himself and his father, King Charles III, but his fight for security clearance has exacerbated the tension. 'He won't speak to me because of this security stuff,' Harry explained during a May interview with the BBC. 'But it would be nice to reconcile.' While Charles himself has yet to publicly extend his own olive branch, Harry's chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, was photographed July 13 with the king's communications secretary, Tobyn Andrae—signaling a public reconciliation could be brewing. In the meantime, keep reading for more updates on royal family matters around the world… Queen Camilla Makes History with New Royal TitleKate Middleton Pulls Out of Royal AscotPrince Harry Loses Appeal to Dismiss Decision in His Security Protection CasePrince Harry and King Charles III Are Not SpeakingKing Charles III Shares Insight Into His Cancer DiagnosisPrince William and Kate Middleton's Family Skips Royal Family's Easter ServiceRoyal Aide Who Accused Meghan Markle Of Bullying Receives a PromotionPrince George Makes His First Public Appearance of 2025Former Bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William DiesThe Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First BabyLuxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids LawsuitKate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for CancerMeghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy DiesPrince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's StepsonMeghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Nigerians get freedom of movement within di kontri' - Nigerians tell Edo state govnor Okpebholo
Nigerians don begin react to viral video wey show as Edo state govnor Monday Okpebholo ban di Labour Party presidential candidate for di 2023 elections, Peter Obi from entering di state without security clearance. Inside di trending video, di Edo state govnor say make Obi no come di state without telling him, as im security no dey guaranteed. "I dey send direct message to am, new sheriff dey for town, e no fit come Edo make e no tell me, becos im security no go ever dey guaranteed. Whatever happun to am wen e dey Edo state, e go take am." Govnor Okpebholo also allege say di last time di former Anambra state govnor visit Edo state wen e donate 15 million naira to one nursing school, crisis happun afta e comot, wey lead to di death of three pipo. BBC Pidgin don reach out to di state police command to verify dis claim, but dem neva reply yet. Di govnor sama dis warning on Friday, 18 July for Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government Area wen e dey receive some politicians wey decamp from di opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Oga Peter Obi neva react to di comment wey govnor Okpebholo make. For 8 July, Peter Obi bin tweet on X about im visit to Philomena College of Nursing Sciences for Benin City, Edo State, wia e donate 15 million naira give dem to improve healthcare delivery. 'Obi na citizen wey get freedom of movement' However, plenty Nigerians wey include di PeterObi Obidient Media Centre don react to di govnor statement. For statement wey dem post on X, di Obidient Media Centre disagree wit wetin di Edo state govnor tok, as dem say Nigeria constitution guarantee di right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of di kontri. Dem say dis no be di first time dis dey happun, as di govnor of Benue state bin issue similar threat against dia principal wen e visit di state for goodwill and charity. Di statement add say make Nigerians no see dis threat as small mata, as Nigeria belong to everybody, and no individual, no matter how highly placed, suppose try divide di kontri by inciting violence or wit dia words. "We wish to alert Nigerians plus di international community say make dem no take dis threats lightly. If anytin untoward happun to im Excellency Peter Obi, make Nigerians know wia to look. Dis governors na di chief security officers of dia respective states, and dia utterances carry weight – no be just in words, but in potential consequences." Di Interim tok-tok pesin for Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi for im reaction say Peter Obi na free citizen and e no need di govnor clearance to visit Nigerians for dia own kontri. "Edo State na Nigerian State. Di govnor statement betray deep insecurity. Wen a Governor begin panic ova courtesy visits and modest donations, na clear sign say sometin dey deeply wrong somewhere. "Leaders wey don serve di pipo well no dey bother wen odas receive clap. Perhaps, di pipo wey dey celebrate PO simply dey remind di Edo state govnor di kind of leader e suppose be," Oga Abdullahi tok. Labour Party govnorship candidate for di 2024 election, Olumide Apata say, "Peter Obi no need anyone permission to visit Edo State or any oda State for dat matter. Not now, not ever." Di Edo state govnor comments dey come as reports say di Kaduna state police command don stop one rally wey supporters of Peter Obi dey plan in honour of im birthday for di state, as dem cite security concerns. For one statement on Saturday, 19 July, di police tok-tok pesin Mansir Hassan tok say di rally dey happun di same day one primary elections dey hold for di state, and e fit lead to gbasgbos and break down of law and order. "Intelligence information wey di command receive na say certain criminal elements dey plan to intrude and hijack di proposed rally, and use am as platform to cause disruption, incite violence, and disturb the prevailing public peace for di state." Di police warn say e go take necessary legal action against any individual or group wey violate di directive. Oda times state govnors don stop politicians from coming to dia state Dis no be di first time a state govnor go kick against di visit of a politician to a state without security clearance from di govnor. For April, di Kogi state goment bin ban rallies and public gatherings for di state, ahead of di homecoming ceremony of di suspended senator wey dey represent Kogi north-central Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her constituency. Di state goment bin cite security breach as dem say di intelligence reports wey dem receive show say some pipo dey plan to "stage some violent rallies in di guise of political and religious agitations" for Kogi Central. Di commissioner of Information Kingsley Fanwo add say di state goment don direct say anybody wey wan enta di state wit convoy of security personnel must "obtain prior clearance from state commands of di deploying services. Benue state goment for April also say any high profile pesin wey wan visit di state must get clearance from di govnor, Hyacinth Alia. For one statement wey di Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, bin issue at di time, e say, "For anyone wey dey consider to visit Benue State without di knowledge or approval of di govnor, e dey important to reconsider, as dia safety and security no fit dey assured," Di statement further direct di individuals or organisations wey dey plan to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps must obtain written clearance from di Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA). Although, di goment no mention names for di statement, but di directive bin draw immediate criticism from many wey believe say di target na di Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, wey bin dey plan humanitarian visit to IDP camps for di state.
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
India Court Rejects Celebi's Plea on Loss of Security Clearance
An Indian court rejected Turkish ground handling firm Celebi Hava Servisi AS's plea against the revoking of its security clearance in India following Turkey's support of Pakistan during an armed conflict between the South Asian neighbors earlier this year. The single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed Celebi's petition against India's civil aviation security agency, arguing that it had not been given a fair hearing before the action. A detailed copy of the court judgment highlighting reasons for this dismissal will be available later.
BreakingNews.ie
01-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Garda Commissioner allegedly found Dublin Airport employee posed risk to State security
The Garda Commissioner purportedly upheld the withdrawal of a Dublin Airport technician's security clearance after finding his 'ability to facilitate nefarious activity' within the airport poses a security risk to the State, having regard for 'what is known' about his 'associates'. Christopher Doyle (34), an employee of Dublin Aerospace since June 2022, lost his airport security clearance last November after failing a Garda 'security intelligence check', rendering him unable to work. Advertisement In proceedings that came before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty this week, Mr Doyle, of Claremont Lawns, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, wants the High Court to quash the Garda Commissioner's purported decision to dismiss his appeal of the failed security check. According to his court documents, Mr Doyle suspects that the failed security check arises from an incident in November last year, when he recorded another Dublin Aerospace employee pledging his support for Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch's 2024 general election campaign. Mr Doyle did not share the video to social media, but did send it to a number of his friends in a WhatsApp message. However, the video eventually surfaced on social media, where it was posted to various platforms by accounts connected to Mr Hutch's campaign. Mr Hutch, named in court as the head of the Hutch organised crime group, narrowly missed out on winning a seat in Dublin Central constituency last November. Advertisement The Garda Commissioner is ultimately responsible for undertaking security checks of Dublin Airport employees, according to Mr Doyle's court documents. In December, Mr Doyle appealed the decision to fail his security check. In April, Mr Doyle says the Garda Commissioner wrote to him, declining his appeal of the security clearance failure. 'In my view, given what is known in relation to a number of your associates, a risk potentially arises around your ability to facilitate nefarious activity within restricted areas of the airport thus creating what I consider to be an unacceptable security threat to Dublin Airport and by extension the State,' the commissioner stated, according to Mr Doyle's documents. Advertisement Mr Doyle says he has no criminal convictions and is not involved in criminality. He says that as far as he is aware, none of his family or associates have any links to criminality, and none are involved in any conduct that would justify withdrawing his security clearance. Remy Farrell SC, appearing with Eoin Sreenan BL for Mr Doyle, on Monday sought permission to bring proceedings seeking an order quashing the Garda Commissioner's appeal determination. It is Mr Doyle's case that the decision not to recommend him for security clearance is 'unreasonable, unlawful, irrational', and is in breach of his constitutional rights and fair procedure. Ms Justice Gearty gave permission to counsel to bring the proceedings against the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice, with Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) a notice party in the action. In March, Mr Doyle brought separate proceedings against DAA, the Minister for Justice and the Garda, seeking to compel the completion of his appeal of the failed security check. The proceedings were struck out after the Garda Commissioner communicated his decision on the appeal to Mr Doyle.
