MI5 files on bombers will stay top secret

DISCLOSING top secret MI5 files about the July 7 bombers to the families of those killed in the attacks would be “impossible”, it was claimed yesterday.

A hearing to decide the format of the of the inquests for the London 2005 bombings, in which 22-year-old David Foulkes from Austerlands died, was told how investigating whether the security service could have prevented the atrocities would involve “handing over the keys” to MI5’s Thames House headquarters in London.

Neil Garnham QC, counsel for the Home Secretary and MI5, said examining MI5’s involvement was outside the scope of the inquests.

He said there would be no problem with providing highly sensitive intelligence material to the coroner and counsel to the inquests.

But any jurors could only see the material if they all underwent intrusive “developed vetting” and neither the bereaved families nor their lawyers would be allowed to see it.

He said: “It would be the security service’s position that disclosure of sensitive information to a jury is simply not possible.

“For the same reasons as for juries, disclosure to the families would be impossible.”

David Foulkes was caught in one of four bombs detonated on July 7 as he made his way to meet a friend at Edgware Road.

The former Hulme Grammar and Oldham Sixth Form College student had recently started work in media sales for the Guardian newspaper.

Mr Garnham said the two official reports about the July 7 attacks by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) — made up of security–cleared MPs — had adequately investigated MI5’s involvement.

He said: “The stark reality is that no more information could be revealed of that which was shown to the ISC without seriously compromising national security, and in particular the security service’s ability to counter the threats of further terrorist outrages.”