SRA and Greater Manchester Police Initiate Investigations into Leak Following Louise Mensch's Intervention

Investigations have been launched by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Greater Manchester Police (GMPolice) into an alleged leak, following a formal complaint filed by former MP and journalist Louise Mensch. This development comes after journalist Aisha Ali-Khan publicly stated that her initial concerns regarding the matter were not addressed by the SRA. The inquiries signal a significant step in addressing the allegations of professional misconduct and potential criminal activity.

Aisha Ali-Khan, a British journalist and political commentator, detailed her experience on social media, indicating a prior attempt to raise the issue with the SRA. > "After being ignored by the SRA, I asked @LouiseMensch for help," Ali-Khan stated in her tweet, highlighting her frustration with the initial lack of action from the regulatory body. Her initial complaint to the SRA reportedly concerned a serious breach of confidentiality and professional conduct by a solicitor.

The turning point came with Louise Mensch's direct intervention. Mensch, known for her advocacy in high-profile legal complaints, took the matter to both the regulatory and law enforcement authorities. > "Louise then made a complaint to both the SRA & @gmpolice about the leak. This time the police & SRA investigated," Ali-Khan further explained in her post, confirming the dual nature of the new complaint and its immediate impact.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, responsible for upholding professional standards and public trust. The SRA regularly cooperates with law enforcement agencies, including local police forces such as Greater Manchester Police, on cases that involve both professional misconduct and potential criminal activity. This includes serious breaches of confidentiality or other actions that could constitute a criminal offense.

Greater Manchester Police maintains a dedicated unit for investigating serious data breaches and leaks, particularly when sensitive information is involved or when misconduct may cross into criminal territory. Public complaints or referrals from regulatory bodies like the SRA can trigger such investigations, especially if allegations of criminal offenses are associated with the leak. The initiation of these parallel investigations underscores the seriousness with which the allegations are now being treated by both regulatory and law enforcement bodies.