Tried to reply previously but must have forgot to submit it, just pre-view.

Yes, it was an escalation in a different game, brought it in as an illustration of the "light" side of spying. I moved forces in to deal with spawning rebels, and so did the AI. At time, an alliance had not been sealed, or due to other alliances it was not possible. Then rebel stack turned up in border area, I may have unthinkingly made a hot pursuit after it withdrew, and then having dispatched the rebs, war breaks out next turn, and there's no way to withdraw and cool things down but relieve a later siege when the AI persisted, and put AI on receiving end of a punitive expedition.

But the main point is, Intelligence gathering can be part of "trust" building, not always something to regard as dishonest.