Ministers accused of cover-up over claims former UK ambassador leaked intelligence

Ex-civil servant alleges he was arrested to protect Kim Darroch, former UK diplomat in Washington

A former civil servant has accused the government of an attempt to cover up “crimes” by the former British ambassador to the US, who he claims leaked intelligence to his lover.

Andrew Hale-Byrne is suing the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, and the international trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, alleging that he was arrested in order to divert attention from Sir Kim Darroch, the former UK ambassador to the US.