ON threat model and not a security leak by itself.
I told him that we can never be quite certain there hasn't been a security leak, during the process of an illegal arms deal.
Meaning, of course, just how bad is the Federation's security leak?
"You don't want to bring additional people into the mission for fear of a security leak."
"Are you suggesting that there has been a security leak?"
"Not sure if it's actually a security leak as such, but land of worrying."
If so, he had to know where the security leak was before the whole business became common knowledge.
This is where I think the vital security leak lies.
Well, that would tell John if there had been a security leak of some sort.
After all, he hadn't been apprised of any security leak.