Whistleblower in nuclear smuggling claims sacked

Atif Amin caused a political storm after he claimed officials at MI6 and the CIA ordered him to drop an investigation while working for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

He was in charge of Operation Akin, an investigation into links between British companies and an illegal network run by Abdul Qadeer Khan, a Pakistani scientist who helped build that country's nuclear arsenal.

Mr Amin claimed he uncovered evidence that the Pakistan network supported Libya's nuclear ambitions in 2000 but that it was not officially exposed and stopped for a further three years.

He accused the two intelligence agencies of failing to "blow the whistle", possibly allowing the network to sell nuclear technology and weapon designs to Iran and North Korea.

An HMRC spokesman said Amin was sacked for gross misconduct after he disclosed sensitive information about the case.

News of his dismissal emerged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said an inquiry found he deliberately disclosed the information without authorisation.

Amin, formerly of Fleet, Hampshire, gave several interviews in October 2007 while on a trip to the United States. He was reported to his bosses on suspicion of breaching the Official Secrets Act and misconduct in a public office.

An HMRC spokesman said: "We can confirm that following disciplinary procedures Atif Amin was dismissed for gross misconduct by the department in July 2010."