KEY POINTS:
One of the few people to have seen the secret information held by the SIS on Ahmed Zaoui says the security service made the right decision in dropping the Algerian refugee's security risk certificate.
Stuart Grieve, QC, was appointed a special advocate by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and
Security, Justice Paul Neazor, two years ago.
He gained security clearance to view the classified material and make submissions during Mr Neazor's long-awaited review of the certificate.
Mr Grieve was not involved in the discussions between Mr Zaoui, his lawyers and the SIS which resulted in this week's decision to drop the certificate, and which has meant the case has closed months ahead of schedule.
Mr Grieve would not comment on anything to do with the classified information - but he did say the new director of the SIS, Dr Warren Tucker, had done the right thing.
"On the basis of the substantive material before the Inspector-General, the director, in my view, made not only the correct decision but also, given all the sensitivities, the courageous one."
Mr Grieve would not reveal what he thought about the process in a case which has dragged on for nearly five years and which has cost the taxpayer more than $3 million.
However, he did say the original Refugee Status Appeals Authority decision in 2003, which exonerated Mr Zaoui and declared him a genuine refugee, was an excellent judgment.
"The detailed work and scholarship and analysis was in my view first class, and when I encounter people who ask me questions about the Zaoui case and people who complain about taxpayers' money and the fact he came here on a false passport, I refer them to that judgment."
Lawyer Let In On Secrets Backs Decision
Stuart Grieve
One of the few people to have seen the secret information held by the SIS on Ahmed Zaoui says the security service made the right decision in dropping the Algerian refugee's security risk certificate.
Stuart Grieve, QC, was appointed a special advocate by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Justice Paul Neazor, two years ago.
He gained security clearance to view the classified material and make submissions during Mr Neazor's long-awaited review of the certificate.
Mr Grieve was not involved in the discussions between Mr Zaoui, his lawyers and the SIS which resulted in this week's decision to drop the certificate, and which has meant the case has closed months ahead of schedule.
Mr Grieve would not comment on anything to do with the classified information - but he did say the new director of the SIS, Dr Warren Tucker, had done the right thing.
"On the basis of the substantive material before the Inspector-General, the director, in my view, made not only the correct decision but also, given all the sensitivities, the courageous one."
Mr Grieve would not reveal what he thought about the process in a case which has dragged on for nearly five years and which has cost the taxpayer more than $3 million.
However, he did say the original Refugee Status Appeals Authority decision in 2003, which exonerated Mr Zaoui and declared him a genuine refugee, was an excellent judgment.
"The detailed work and scholarship and analysis was in my view first class, and when I encounter people who ask me questions about the Zaoui case and people who complain about taxpayers' money and the fact he came here on a false passport, I refer them to that judgment."
