Explanatory Notes

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 33

11 November 1999

Commentary on Sections

Part VIII: Detention centres and detained persons

Section 158: Wrongful disclosure of information

415.This section creates an offence of disclosure, by certain persons employed at detention centres or in accordance with escort arrangements, of information relating to detained persons. The offence will apply to information acquired in the course of employment where disclosure is made outside the course of duty and has not been authorised by the Secretary of State. This will not prevent detainee custody officers from disclosing information when ordered to do so by a court, nor is the offence restricted only to information about those currently detained.