Shayler vows to put British state on trial

Renegade MI5 agent David Shayler has arrived at court promising to put the British state on trial.

Lawyers are due to begin preliminary arguments about the three charges faced by Shayler under the Official Secrets Act.

The 35-year-old former spy is accused of leaking details of the security services' activities to a Sunday newspaper four years ago.

Arriving at the High Court in London with girlfriend and ex-MI5 agent Annie Machon and members of his family, Shayler said: "We are going to put the British state on trial.

"I have nothing to fear - but they have everything to fear."

Asked if he was disappointed to be facing only charges relating to an article in the Mail on Sunday in 1997 and none concerning a whole range of allegations he has made since then about the activities of MI5 and MI6, Shayler said: "They have chosen who to prosecute and who not to prosecute. It is totally arbitrary rule of law."

There is a strong likelihood the case will get no further than the legal argument stage, he insisted.

"It's obvious that this trial will be put back as a result of this preliminary hearing, possibly to appeal at the House of Lords," said Shayler.

"If it takes place it will take place after the General Election.

"We plan to subpoena Jack Straw and Robin Cook and it is quite obvious they don't want to answer questions in open court right before an election."