Duncan Campbell (investigative journalist)
Encyclopedia
Duncan Campbell is a British freelance investigative journalist, author and television producer
who, since 1975, has specialised in the subjects of intelligence and security services, defence, policing, civil liberties and, latterly, computer forensics. He was a staff writer at the New Statesman
from 1978 to 1991 and Associate Editor (Investigations) from 1988 to 1991. He was prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act
in the ABC trial
in 1978 and made the controversial series Secret Society
for the BBC in 1987 (see Zircon affair
). In 1988, he revealed the existence of the ECHELON
surveillance program.
He shares the same name as another Scottish-born journalist called Duncan Campbell
, former Time Out and City Limits writer, who was a long-standing correspondent for The Guardian
and who is married to the Oscar-winning actor Julie Christie
.
, an independent school
in the city of Dundee
in Scotland. Something of a science prodigy, he first trained in computer programming aged 16 and, whilst still at school, taught computer languages and undertook programming in scientific computers languages. He gained three ‘S’ levels (the old Scottish equivalent to ‘A’ levels) in Physics, Chemistry and Maths, and then an open scholarship to Brasenose College, Oxford
, where he achieved a BA First Class Honours Physics in 1973. The following year, Campbell completed a one-year MSc in Operations Research at the University of Sussex
; the course included Psychology, Economics, Accountancy and Model Building. He later told The Independent "It was extremely useful. It was not difficult to make the grades, though they'll hate me for saying so". [Independent August 7, 1997]
. Founded in March 1973 by Roy Carr-Hill and George Wilson
, this ‘underground’ collectively run paper started life in a private home, 21 Clermont Terrace. By the late 1980s, it was based at Prior House, Tilbury Place, and published approximately every six weeks. The paper's content followed broadly anarcho-socialist principles, focusing on housing, the police, gay rights, civil liberties, environment, unemployment, anti-racism and fascism and women's rights. Collective meetings were held at the "Open Café", 7 Victoria Rd, where the paper was typed up and laid out in the basement. Distribution was the main problem for the Voice, as many newsagents were reluctant to stock it, either because of its contents or fear of legal action from some of those ‘named and shamed’ in its pages. Unsurprisingly, the paper sold well on the University of Sussex campus. As well as Duncan Campbell, notable members of the collective included housing activist Steve Bassam, later the city's Labour council leader and life peer Lord Bassam, and Daily Mail
journalist Val Hennessy. The last issue of Brighton Voice was published in July 1989.
(SCOPG) in Hong Kong
led to the revelation that most pressure groups and individual members of the opposition
were under surveillance by the colonial government. Duncan's article asserts that Hong Kong under then governor Sir Murray MacLehose had become a dictatorship
. In his words: "Hong Kong is a dictatorship; and scarcely a benevolent one."
Campbell revealed in 1988, in an article titled "Somebody's listening" and published in New Statesman
, the existence of the ECHELON
surveillance program.
In 1999 he wrote a report on COMINT entitled Interception Capabilities 2000 for the European Parliament
.
In 2005 and 2007, Campbell investigated and wrote criticisms of the Operation Ore
child pornography
prosecutions in the UK, which exposed police errors and "revealed how computer evidence used against 7,272 people in the UK accused of being paedophiles had been founded on falsehoods." These articles were "Operation Ore Exposed" and "Sex, Lies and the Missing Videotape", both published in PC Pro
magazine.
The Who
's Pete Townshend
and Massive Attack
's Robert Del Naja
were both cleared of charges they accessed child pornography through the Landslide site by the investigation detailed by Campbell in PC Pro
magazine. When their credit card charges and IP addresses were traced, both were found to have accessed sites which had nothing to do with child pornography.
. Campbell's front door was kicked down and his home searched. In 1987, Strathclyde Police raided the corporation's Scottish headquarters in Glasgow and seized the tapes from the offices of BBC Scotland where the series had been made. Campbell's home was also raided, The tapes were later returned and the series broadcast on the BBC except for episode one. The BBC decided that the episode (one) about secret cabinet committees was too sensitive to show before the 1987 general election. The Thatcher government leaned on the BBC to prevent its damaging allegations being made public.
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
who, since 1975, has specialised in the subjects of intelligence and security services, defence, policing, civil liberties and, latterly, computer forensics. He was a staff writer at the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
from 1978 to 1991 and Associate Editor (Investigations) from 1988 to 1991. He was prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act
Official Secrets Act
The Official Secrets Act is a stock short title used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Malaysia and formerly in New Zealand for legislation that provides for the protection of state secrets and official information, mainly related to national security.-United Kingdom:*The Official Secrets...
in the ABC trial
ABC trial
The ABC Trial was a trial of charges under sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 trial in United Kingdom. It took place in 1978 and is named after the three defendants: Crispin Aubrey, John Berry and Duncan Campbell...
in 1978 and made the controversial series Secret Society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
for the BBC in 1987 (see Zircon affair
Zircon affair
The Zircon affair was an incident in 1986 that raised many important issues in the British constitution.During the winter of 1985–1986, journalist Duncan Campbell was commissioned by the BBC to make six half-hour television documentaries under the title Secret Society...
). In 1988, he revealed the existence of the ECHELON
ECHELON
ECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
surveillance program.
He shares the same name as another Scottish-born journalist called Duncan Campbell
Duncan Campbell (The Guardian)
Duncan Campbell is a British journalist and author. He was a senior reporter/correspondent for The Guardian from 1987 until 2010. He was the Los Angeles and crime correspondent for the paper at one point.-Education:...
, former Time Out and City Limits writer, who was a long-standing correspondent for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
and who is married to the Oscar-winning actor Julie Christie
Julie Christie
Julie Frances Christie is a British actress. Born in British India to English parents, at the age of six Christie moved to England, where she attended boarding school....
.
Early life
Born in Glasgow in 1952, Campbell was brought up and educated in Dundee, where he was a pupil at the High School of DundeeHigh School of Dundee
The High School of Dundee is an independent, co-educational, day school in the city of Dundee, Scotland which provides both primary and secondary education to just over one thousand pupils...
, an independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in the city of Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
in Scotland. Something of a science prodigy, he first trained in computer programming aged 16 and, whilst still at school, taught computer languages and undertook programming in scientific computers languages. He gained three ‘S’ levels (the old Scottish equivalent to ‘A’ levels) in Physics, Chemistry and Maths, and then an open scholarship to Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
, where he achieved a BA First Class Honours Physics in 1973. The following year, Campbell completed a one-year MSc in Operations Research at the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
; the course included Psychology, Economics, Accountancy and Model Building. He later told The Independent "It was extremely useful. It was not difficult to make the grades, though they'll hate me for saying so". [Independent August 7, 1997]
Early journalism
After leaving Sussex University, Campbell settled in Brighton and became a journalist on Brighton VoiceBrighton Voice
Brighton Voice was an alternative or underground newspaper published in Brighton, England in the 1970s and 1980s.-History:Brighton Voice was one of the many alternative local newspapers that sprung up in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s. With a launching statement describing its aim as...
. Founded in March 1973 by Roy Carr-Hill and George Wilson
George Wilson
-Arts and entertainment:* George Wilson , British actor* George Balch Wilson , American composer, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan* George Washington Wilson , pioneering Scottish photographer...
, this ‘underground’ collectively run paper started life in a private home, 21 Clermont Terrace. By the late 1980s, it was based at Prior House, Tilbury Place, and published approximately every six weeks. The paper's content followed broadly anarcho-socialist principles, focusing on housing, the police, gay rights, civil liberties, environment, unemployment, anti-racism and fascism and women's rights. Collective meetings were held at the "Open Café", 7 Victoria Rd, where the paper was typed up and laid out in the basement. Distribution was the main problem for the Voice, as many newsagents were reluctant to stock it, either because of its contents or fear of legal action from some of those ‘named and shamed’ in its pages. Unsurprisingly, the paper sold well on the University of Sussex campus. As well as Duncan Campbell, notable members of the collective included housing activist Steve Bassam, later the city's Labour council leader and life peer Lord Bassam, and Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
journalist Val Hennessy. The last issue of Brighton Voice was published in July 1989.
Notable articles
In 1980, his article revealing the existence of the secret Standing Committee on Pressure GroupsStanding Committee on Pressure Groups
The Standing Committee on Pressure Groups was a secret committee set up in 1978 by the Hong Kong government to monitor the activities of pressure groups. The existence of this committee was first revealed in the New Statesman on 12 December 1980. The article, written by Duncan Campbell, asserted...
(SCOPG) in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
led to the revelation that most pressure groups and individual members of the opposition
Opposition (politics)
In politics, the opposition comprises one or more political parties or other organized groups that are opposed to the government , party or group in political control of a city, region, state or country...
were under surveillance by the colonial government. Duncan's article asserts that Hong Kong under then governor Sir Murray MacLehose had become a dictatorship
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
. In his words: "Hong Kong is a dictatorship; and scarcely a benevolent one."
Campbell revealed in 1988, in an article titled "Somebody's listening" and published in New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
, the existence of the ECHELON
ECHELON
ECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
surveillance program.
In 1999 he wrote a report on COMINT entitled Interception Capabilities 2000 for the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
.
In 2005 and 2007, Campbell investigated and wrote criticisms of the Operation Ore
Operation Ore
Operation Ore was a British police operation that commenced in 1999 following information received from US law enforcement, which was intended to prosecute thousands of users of a website reportedly featuring child pornography...
child pornography
Child pornography
Child pornography refers to images or films and, in some cases, writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child...
prosecutions in the UK, which exposed police errors and "revealed how computer evidence used against 7,272 people in the UK accused of being paedophiles had been founded on falsehoods." These articles were "Operation Ore Exposed" and "Sex, Lies and the Missing Videotape", both published in PC Pro
PC Pro
PC Pro is one of several computer magazines published monthly in the United Kingdom by Dennis Publishing. PC Pro also licenses individual articles for republication in various countries around the world - and some articles are translated into local languages...
magazine.
The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
and Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
's Robert Del Naja
Robert Del Naja
Robert Del Naja , also known as 3D, is an English artist and musician. Initially gaining notoriety as a graffiti artist and member of the Bristol collective known as "The Wild Bunch", Del Naja went on to become a founding member of the band Massive Attack where he is active to this day.-Music:Del...
were both cleared of charges they accessed child pornography through the Landslide site by the investigation detailed by Campbell in PC Pro
PC Pro
PC Pro is one of several computer magazines published monthly in the United Kingdom by Dennis Publishing. PC Pro also licenses individual articles for republication in various countries around the world - and some articles are translated into local languages...
magazine. When their credit card charges and IP addresses were traced, both were found to have accessed sites which had nothing to do with child pornography.
Secret Society (1987)
The Secret Society series caused a political furore in 1987. The production team behind the series was threatened with prosecution under the Official Secrets ActOfficial Secrets Act
The Official Secrets Act is a stock short title used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Malaysia and formerly in New Zealand for legislation that provides for the protection of state secrets and official information, mainly related to national security.-United Kingdom:*The Official Secrets...
. Campbell's front door was kicked down and his home searched. In 1987, Strathclyde Police raided the corporation's Scottish headquarters in Glasgow and seized the tapes from the offices of BBC Scotland where the series had been made. Campbell's home was also raided, The tapes were later returned and the series broadcast on the BBC except for episode one. The BBC decided that the episode (one) about secret cabinet committees was too sensitive to show before the 1987 general election. The Thatcher government leaned on the BBC to prevent its damaging allegations being made public.
- The Secret Constitution: Secret Cabinet Committees - about small, secret and influential Cabinet committees.
- In Time Of Crisis: Government Emergency Powers - Since 1982, governments in every other NATO country have been preparing for the eventuality of war. In Britain, these preparations are kept secret. So what will happen when the balloon goes up?
- A Gap In Our Defences - Bungling defence manufacturers and incompetent military planners have botched every new radar system that Britain has installed since World War Two. Why? And can we stop it happening again?
- We're All Data Now: Secret Data Banks - The Data Protection Act is supposed to protect us from abuse, but it's already out of date and full of loopholes. So what kind of abuses should we worry about?
- The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) - ACPO Making up their own law and policy. About the Association of Chief Police OfficersAssociation of Chief Police OfficersThe Association of Chief Police Officers , established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic...
and how Government policy and actions are determined in the fields of law and order. - Communications Zircon - About GCHQ with particular reference to a secret £500 million satellite. Reference to Zircon spy satellitesZircon (satellite)Zircon was the codename for a British signals intelligence satellite, intended to be launched in 1988, before being cancelled.During the Cold War, Britain's GCHQ was heavily reliant on America's National Security Agency for communications interception from space. Concern heightened at the time of...
which the public accounts committee were not told about.
Awards
- 1989: Best Business Feature, Magazine Publishing Awards
- 1987: What The Papers Say, Investigative Journalist of the Year
- 1987: Freedom of Information Campaign: Media Award
- 1983: Specialist Writer of the Year, Periodical Publishers’ Association, for reports on nuclear weapons and the Prime spy case.
- 1980: Cobden Trust Award, for series of New StatesmanNew StatesmanNew Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
articles on civil liberties, including an exposé on Britain's secret telephone tapping centre.
Miscellaneous
- Founder member, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
- Nominated as Rector of Aberdeen University, 1981
- Consultant on telecommunications, Technology Faculty, Open University, 1976–82
- Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee Study Group on Defence, 1980–1983
- Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee Study Group on Security Services, 1979–83
- Chairman and director, Statesman and Nation Publishing Company Ltd (publishers of New StatesmanNew StatesmanNew Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
) 1990-94 - Senior Research Fellow, Electronic Privacy Information CenterElectronic Privacy Information CenterElectronic Privacy Information Center is a public interest research group in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values in the information age...
, Washington, D.C., 1999–2000 - Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Further reading
- Campbell, D. (1980). Colonialism: A Secret Plan for Dictatorship New Statesman, 12 December 1980.
- Campbell, D. (1981). Big Brother is Listening: Phone Tappers and the Security State. New Statesman Report 2.
- Campbell, D. (1982). War Plan UK: The Truth about Civil Defence in Britain (1st ed.). Burnett Books. ISBN 0-09-150670-0 (hardback), ISBN 0-09-150671-9 (paperback). 1983 Revised edition Paladin Books ISBN 0-586-08479-7.
- Campbell, D. (1984). The Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier: American Military Power in Britain. Michael Joseph. ISBN 0-7181-2289-5 (hardback), ISBN 0-7181-2350-6 (paperback).