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Terror book author rapped

27/ 6/2008

A JOURNALIST who took police to the High Court after he was ordered to hand over his source material for a book on terrorism was told by a judge he should never have brought the case.

Shiv Malik, who had previously claimed a `victory for common sense' after the order against him was altered by the court, was directed to hand over all relevant information within seven days.

Three judges in London refused to allow a longer delay and ordered Mr Malik to pay Greater Manchester Police's legal costs in full - starting with a £15,000 payment on account.

Lord Justice Dyson, said: "Mr Malik, contrary to what he proclaimed to the public at large, has achieved very little from these proceedings."

It was true, he said, that the original production order obtained by the police was too wide. But the dispute between Mr Malik, of London, and the police could have been settled by negotiation or reference back to the judge who made the original order.

Lord Dyson said there was no basis for a judicial review of Mr Malik's claim.

"It is our view that these proceedings should never have been brought," the judge said.

Greater Manchester Police had obtained an order to hand over all material for Mr Malik's forthcoming book, Leaving Al-Qaeda: Inside The Mind Of A British Terrorist, which features interviews with Hassan Butt, who insists he has turned his back on terrorism.

The information is wanted in connection with a terrorist trial, in Manchester in September.