On 21 June 2008, "The New York Times" reported that the UK Government had sent a letter to Clive Stafford Smith, confirming that it had information about Mohamed's allegations of abuse. On 28 July, his lawyers filed a petition in a UK court to compel the Foreign Office to turn over the evidence of Mohamed's abuse. They also filed a petition with the Irish government for the records of his illegal air transport over Ireland. On 21 August, the High Court of the United Kingdom found in Mohamed's favour, ruling that the Foreign Office should disclose this material. The judges said of the information that it was "not only necessary but essential for his defence".