"The current statutory offences are too specific to offer a comprehensive definition, while the common law offence of conspiracy to defraud is so wide that it offers little guidance on the difference between fraudulent and lawful conduct, " it said.

BBC: UK fraud laws 'need streamlining'

The only plausible conclusion for your failure to give this assurance is that you were aware that Damian Green, or another Member of Parliament, was the subject of the investigation - conducted not under the Official Secrets Act, but an antiquated common law misconduct offence.

BBC: In full: Dominic Grieve's letter