Public Interest v Private Trust

When is it correct to leak to the media?

The case of Derek Pasquill who last week had his case thrown out by the Old Bailey is examined in the New Statesman today.

The question arises whether a strong moral justification is grounds enough for betraying a work confidence.
There is no doubt reading the article that Mr Pasquill was genuinely abhorred by the foreign office's dealings with the Islamic world.There is also justification under public interest that the media were alerted to this policy.

However nothing illegal was being done,the Foreign office would argue that this was simply one aspect of its policy.Certain individuals in the government were against it but these discussions could have taken place within the normal channels of government or Parliament.

The arguments are not able the press' rights but those of the government.A civil servant has a duty of care to his employer and Mr Pasquill breached the trust that his position held.