Focus magazine’s website reported that the plans for the new headquarters – which should be finished in the next few years – feature sensitive information such as location of alarm systems and anti-terrorism equipment. Theft by unknown elements is suspected.

A BND representative told Die Welt newspaper that the documents were likely leaked by a construction contractor.

“It’s obvious the papers were passed on from there,” he said.

The agency declined comment officially on the situation. But a spokesman for the Chancellery told Focus the government had ordered a complete investigation and has asked security officials to prepare an evaluation of security measures.

The BND has also been rocked by the porn allegations – allegedly a high-ranking employee downloaded internet porn onto his work computer.

According to Die Welt the worker fell under suspicion in March after a routine check by in-house technicians. They also found that he had made purchases on eBay. In general, private use of BND computers is strictly prohibited.

The discovery may be particularly embarrassing because the man is a key department head and a confidante of the intelligence agency’s president, Ernst Uhrlau, Die Welt.

The Local/mdm