www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1155681,00.html

GCHQ whistleblower Katharine Gun, who leaked a memo suggesting UN members should be bugged, was today cleared of breaching the Offical Secrets Act when the government prosecution dropped all charges at her initial Old Bailey hearing.

The government prosecutor, Mark Ellison, said: "The prosecution offer no evidence against the defendant on this indictment as there is no longer sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. It would not be appropriate to go into the reasons for this decision." Mr Ellison refused to give further details to Ms Gun's Council, Ben Emmerson QC.

Had the trial gone ahead, there is no public interest defence under the Offical Secrets Act Mr Emmerson could have used in Ms Gun's defence.

Should secrets remain secrets whatever the cost?