6.30pm GMT: Despite saying that she wouldn't discuss individual issues raised by the "alleged stolen cables", Secretary Clinton can't resist taking the bait when asked about Iran and using the cables to make a point:
"Anyone reading these alleged cables will see that Iran does pose a threat and that their neighbours are concerned about it."That's it, Clinton wraps it up, and we'll have the thoughts of the Guardian's Ewen Macaskill – who was at the briefing – to follow shortly.
6.26pm GMT: Clinton is still pushing back against the fact of the leaks, and says she won't address individual topics raised by the "stolen cables" which she says were released "without regard for the consequences" for the entire international community.
Rather than a whistleblowing act, says Clinton, "In contrast, what is being put on display in this cache of documents, is American diplomats doing the work that we expect them to do ... It should make everyone of us proud."
Disclosures such as this "tear at the fabric of responsible government", according to the secretary of state:
"Every country, including the US, must be able to have honest, private dialogue with other countries about issues of common concern.... When someone breaches that trust, we are all worse off for it."Now there are some questions.
6.20pm GMT: Secretary Clinton still talking, saying that the US government was tightening its internal security "so that this kind of breech does not and cannot happen again":
I would also add to the American people and to our friends and partners that we are taking aggressive steps to hold responsible those to account.Clinton also raised the spectre of the cables exposing individuals to danger, saying:
"US diplomats meet with local human rights leaders who offer their own candid insights. Revealing that person's identity could have serious repercussions.""Some may mistakenly applaud those responsible," says Clinton, before going to explain that "there is nothing laudable" about the release of what she is calling "these alleged cables".
6.14pm GMT: Hillary Clinton speaking now, saying that the WikiLeaks cable leaks imperils lives and US diplomatic efforts. Arguing that the revelations hurts diplomacy, Clinton said:
"Let's be clear: this disclosure is not just an attack on America's foreign policy interests... I am confident that the partnerships that the Obama administration has worked so hard to build will withstand this challenge.
"I will not comment on or affirm on what are alleged to be stolen US state department cables. But I can say that the US deeply regrets the disclosure of discussions that were meant to be confidential ... I want to make clear that our policy is not set in these messages but here in Washington."
5.55pm GMT: Hillary Clinton is about to start speaking at the State department on the WikiLeaks US diplomatic cables – and much of the focus will be on the revelations of US diplomats spying on the UN leadership.
5.45pm GMT: At last Sarah Palin speaks on the WikiLeaks revelations – well, she tweets on the subject. And being Sarah Palin, it's mainly about her:
"Inexplicable: I recently won in court to stop my book America by Heart from being leaked, but US Govt can't stop Wikileaks' treasonous act?"
Well, one is under the jurisdiction of the United States' government and laws, and one isn't. Apart from that, inexplicable. But top marks for using this unlikely subject to plug your own book.
