The leaking of U.K. state secrets

Introduction

I've just read the latest best selling novel "Precipice" written by Robert Harris.  It's all about the Premiership of Herbert Asquith and his extra-marital relationship that involved the sharing of confidential papers in the First World War.  

More about Harris's exciting new page-turner of a paperback later.  Before that, suffice it for now to say that his works cover a wide variety of topics using a specialism wherein he seamlessly mixes fiction with fact across different eras.  

Given the author's meticulous research, the thought occurrs that his story-telling may be able to shed light on current affairs of state.  Could there be lessons to apply from Harris's writing to contemporary world events? 

People here in western Europe are increasingly concerned about the American administration's apparently confrontational and undiplomatic attitude to its allies.  The inclination of the "leader of the free world" to apply crude tarriffs on free trade as a means to reduce his country's imports, the threats to annex Greenland "either the easy way or the hard way," his ruthless crackdown on immigration with "ICE" strongmen, his dismissal of the climate crisis as "a hoax" and changing America's legislation, and his cosying up to the Kremlin's despotic President - these and other matters provide Europeans with causes for alarm.

One episode in particular has been dominating our recent headlines.

The Epstein files

The impacts of Jeffrey Epstein's activities have assumed greater profile recently following the American Government's volte face release of the convicted paedophile's "files."  Those impacts have been particularly apparent in the U.K.  

Political life at Westminster has been rocked by a substantial brouhaha around former Government Minister Peter Mandelson, latterly appointed by the Prime Minister to be the UK Ambassador to the USA, culminating in his disgrace and dismissal from that position for sharing classified documents with Epstein.  According to one newspaper report (1), "the leaked information which Epstein could have used to make money included plans for the potential sale of government land and property."

Debates have continued about the consequent stability of the U.K. Government and of PM Keir Starmer, even as his chief of staff and head of communications both resign, with the head of the Civil Service "forced out."  

Instability at Westminster is not just a bad look for the U.K.  It's also an unwelcome public spectacle particularly after the electorate's rejection in a General Election of the predecessor Government with its succession of five different Prime Ministers.  Electors will be disappointed if the new Administration, only elected in July 2024, should become infected with a similar malaise, on this occasion prompted by American events. 

In addition there is renewed concern about Mr Mountbatten Windsor when, as Prince Andrew, he was a U.K. trade envoy (2).  The allegations against him relate similarly to his leaking of confidential information to Epstein.  It is also four years ago exactly when in a United States federal court civil lawsuit Virginia Roberts Giuffré accused the then Prince Andrew of sexually assaulting her in the early 2000s. She was a 17 year old.  

They reached an out-of-court settlement in Feb 2022 and the case was dismissed without a trial.  The Prince paid an undisclosed sum to Giuffre with no admission of liability (3).  A newspaper report (4) indicates that £12m was loaned to him for the Giuffre settlement by members of the Royal Family, one of whom, Prince Charles, has now become the King.  The report adds that Charles contributed £1.5m.  If true, it intensifies the public attention and pressure on the the Monarchy over its support of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

And it's worth reminding ourselves that Britain's Monarchy also operates internationally.  King Charles III is not only the Head of State in the UK, but he is also Head of the Commonwealth comprising 56 countries, and, crucially, he is Head of State in 14 of its independent nations (5), including the USA's close neighbour Canada.  The King's responsibilities go further to include an important religious role, he being the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Outsiders may start to wonder, considering the post-Epstein toxity of political turmoil in Westminster together with mounting focus on the Monarchy, if the U.K. might be heading towards a constitutional crisis at some stage.  

Has anything even remotely similar ever happened before?

Modern literature

The respected and award-winning British novelist Robert Harris writes best selling novels usually based in some way on real-life events.  His superb 2016 best seller, for instance, about a fictional election of a new Pope, "Conclave," was made into an Oscar-winning film.  

His follow-up novel "Precipice" was published in paperback in 2025, becoming another number 1 best seller.  It tells an intimate story centred around the then Prime Minister Herbert Asquith (6) set in 1914-15 before and in the early stages of World War 1.

Harris's wonderful novel, despite a setting many years ago, bears thematic relevance to Westminster's current woes.  In "Precipice," Prime Minister Asquith shares heartfelt intimacies in well over 560 hand-written letters as well as numerous State secrets about war strategy, sometimes including original documents, with a person outside Government - his 26 year old single girlfriend, the Honourable Venetia Stanley (pictured below).  

Even though the reimagined tale of an essentially true story is set over a century ago, the author's writing technique is spell-binding, and it is eerily - and unintentionally - reminiscent of today's document-sharing events (minus the paedophilia).



An intriguing and authoritative newspaper article explains that (7) 

"Asquith's adulterous affair was the cause of both military and political crises at the onset of the first world war.  Against all protocol, it is now clear that Asquith shared vital military secrets with his paramour, Venetia Stanley, compromising national security.  He also failed to recall important strategic information about army ammunition supplies because he had given the key briefing document to her...."

Conclusion

Both cases - Epstein and Asquith - involve the serious issue of threats to Britain's national security after the unauthorised leaking of confidential state documents. 

The Asquith example coincided with a time of a build-up to serious global conflict.  Not least, it complicated the war effort.  Is there any way that today's leaders might look at history to reveal a salutory reminder of potential consequences arising from errant behaviour.

The Epstein case is a bad advertisement both for Britain's elected Government and also for the Monarchy in the modern era of heightened world tensions.  Together they amplify citizens' worries about the state of the Nation and its place on the global stage.


© Michael McSorley 2026  

References

1. The Telegraph 4 Feb 2026 "Starmer: Mandelson betrayed Britain"  https://apple.news/AfWiXGDu6SY6n64E6kAxX-g

2.BBC News 9 Feb 2026 "King ready to support police as they assess Andrew claims over Epstein"  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlgv3z79klo

3. 26 Oct 2025 blog article https://michaelmcsorleycurrent.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-grand-old-duke-of-york.html

4. 12 Feb 2026 The Sun "Shamed Anloaned £12m by Queen Philip and Charles to pay off Virginia Guiffre and hasn't paid a penny back" byhttps://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/38196914/andrew-pay-off-loan-virginia-giuffre-royals/

5. BBC News 22 Oct 2025 What does King Charles do and who else is in the Royal Family? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy7e4q779wo

6. The History of Herbert Henry Asquith https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/herbert-henry-asquith

7. 25 Aug 2024 Vanessa Thorpe The Guardian  https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/25/sex-and-secrets-in-pms-limo-asquiths-wild-trysts-with-socialite-mistress


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