An inquiry has begun after the Welsh government accidentally leaked confidential information on what happens when the Queen dies.
Letters and a security pamphlet marked ‘official sensitive’ found their way to a member of the public via email, thanks to a mistake by a Welsh government official.
The leak included a letter from a top UK civil servant who was concerned that a news website had disclosed confidential details of the procedures for the Queen’s death.
Security guidance was also emailed to a member of the public by accident.
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The Welsh government have said that no operational information was revealed, but agreed that the pamphlet should not have been shared.
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A spokesperson for the Welsh government's most senior civil servant, Dr Andrew Goodall, said it took the ‘issue of information and data security very seriously’ and the incident was being investigated as a ‘potential security breach’.
As per BBC Wales, in September 2021 a top UK government civil servant emailed his fellow colleagues expressing concern that a news website had published new details on the Queen’s death.
The civil servant made clear that the internal documents should not have been made public.
Another senior civil servant then replied, asking for ‘bespoke guidance’ on security to be drawn up and shared within the governments of the UK.
This security guidance was marked ‘official sensitive’, and was accidentally emailed to a member of the public by a Welsh government official.
In his full statement, Dr Goodall, the Welsh government's Permanent Secretary, said: "Whilst the email did not contain any operational information, it was marked 'official sensitive' and should not have been shared.
"We take the issue of information and data security very seriously and this is now being investigated as a potential security breach.
"We are unable to comment further."
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is fast approaching, and UK residents will get to enjoy a four-day weekend in June to mark the joyous occasion.
The monarch has also offered her official approval for Camilla Parker Bowles to become Queen Consort when Charles becomes king.
But have you ever wondered what happens to the national anthem when the Queen dies?
Essentially, yes, the national anthem will change.
When the day arrives, and Prince Charles takes the throne, the anthem’s lyrics will need amending to reflect the newly-crowned male monarch.
So, the anthem will state ‘King' instead of ‘Queen’, but the content and tune will still remain the same.
Abbi Murray