Vetting data loss was covered up

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A data loss at an RAF base last year was far worse than first revealed after it emerged that sensitive files containing vetting data on RAF personnel was among the information that went missing.

Last September three USB sticks were stolen from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at RAF Innsworth. The agency provides support services for current and former RAF personnel. It was believed that tens of thousands of details were lost in the theft.

Now it has emerged that the files not only contained standard personal information such as names, bank accounts, national insurance numbers and addresses, but also very personal information used in vetting processes.

An internal MoD memo said that some files contained "details of criminal convictions, investigations, precise details of debt, medical conditions, drug abuse, use of prostitutes, extra-marital affairs including the names of third parties".

The memo raised concerns that the sensitive data "provides excellent material for Foreign Intelligence Services and blackmailers".

RAF officers and personnel could be publicly embarrassed by revelations in the files and could become the victims of extortion, bribery and blackmail if criminals threatened to expose past incidents.

There are concerns that the RAF's slow acknowledgement of the vetting data loss could be seen as an attempted cover up.

Neither parliament nor the Information Commissioner's Office were told about the loss of the vetting data.

The MoD said in a statement that it took all data losses "very seriously". "All individuals identified as being at risk received personal one-on-one interviews to alert them to the loss of the data, to discuss potential threats and to provide them with advice on mitigating action," it said

"There is no evidence to suggest that the information held on the hard drive... has been targeted by criminal or hostile elements."