The British government's continued persecution of Martin Bright and the editors of the Guardian and Observer is clearly an affront to any notion of freedom of the press.
Freedom of expression is a right guaranteed under European and international law.
Its limitations deal with incitement to violence, and more relevantly in this case, the security of the state. David Shayler's revelations, and their subsequent publication in the British press, have left Britain in no danger of sinking beneath the waves. MI5's lies however have certainly endangered the state, or at least one state employee, a Mr Robin Cook, foreign secretary. His claims to parliament that there was no truth in Shayler's 'Gadafy assassination' tale have been subsequently discredited. It can only be assumed that Mr Cook was misled by intelligence briefings.