UK: Security vetting - homosexuality
01 September 1991
The government has reviewed its policy on homosexuality being an automatic bar to top posts in the diplomatic service and other sensitive posts under the security vetting procedures. Homosexuality has been grounds for an automatic bar on clearance on PV (TS) - positive vetting (top secret) - or enhanced positive vetting (EPV) posts.
The Prime Minister announced in July that the automatic bar is to go but "the susceptibility of the subject to blackmail or pressure by a foreign intelligence service will continue to be a factor in the vetting of all candidates for posts involving access to highly classified information."
The bar remains in the armed forces where "homosexual acts remain offences under the service disciplinary Acts."
However a confidential Foreign Office memorandum to all staff entitled "Homosexuality and Security Vetting" encouraging gay diplomats to be open about their sexuality warns they could be disciplined or sacked for past "deliberate falsehoods and untrustworthiness". The sexuality of staff is relevant, says the memo, to their susceptibility to blackmail.
Hansard written answer 23.7.91; Independent 15.8.91.