Claims soldier pulled handgun on ASIS agent in Afghanistan to be investigated

By Latika Bourke
Updated October 21 2014 - 5:13pm, first published 4:37pm
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Declined to confirm the report: Dr Vivienne Thom, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The watchdog that oversees Australia's spy agencies is investigating an incident in which a special forces soldier is reported to have pulled a gun on an Australian Secret Intelligence Service officer during a drinking session in Afghanistan.

The claim is being examined alongside concerns ASIS officers are handling weapons despite consuming alcohol and amid revelations inaccurate information has been provided to prior investigations into the issue, however the Inspector-General of Intelligence Service, Dr Vivienne Thom, says there's no evidence she's been lied to.

The incident is included in the annual report of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security which was sent to Prime Minister Tony Abbott on September 30.

The report said "in December 2013 a further more serious incident occurred overseas involving an allegedly inappropriate action by an officer of another Australian government agency towards an [ASIS officer]".  

"While no physical injury resulted, the incident had the potential to cause serious injury." 

The ABC is reporting that this involved a soldier pulling a gun on an ASIS agent. An intelligence source told Fairfax Media that the reference was unusually explicit. It is not stated if the ASIS officer was armed or unarmed.

Dr Thom declined to confirm the report when contacted but said ASIS had made "further improvements" to its processes to ensure that its staff comply with requirements.

"I will not provide any further details about the December 2013 incident,"  she told Fairfax Media.

The report said ASIS's own investigation into the "serious incident" had "highlighted systemic issues" and the Director-General of ASIS told the Inspector-General that "inaccuracies" had been provided to her inquiry conducted earlier in 2013.  

"My review of the ASIS investigation report and interviews indicated other substantial discrepancies," Dr Thom said.  But Dr Thom said she had "no evidence" anyone had lied to her.

She said: "If I did have evidence that any officer lied under oath, the matter would be referred to the AFP to be dealt with under the Criminal Code." She pointed out the maximum penalty for such an offence is 12 months' imprisonment.

The 2013 inquiry raised concerns about the consumption of alcohol and weapons used by ASIS officers.

ASIS policy prohibits anyone consuming alcohol being issued with a weapon but Dr Thom said "the inquiry found some staff misunderstanding in relation to this requirement".

The IGIS said "ASIS did not have adequate controls in place to provide assurance that there was compliance with this requirement".

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