This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50300551

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
General election 2019: Gove denies holding back Russia interference report General election 2019: No 10 denies holding back Russia interference report
(about 2 hours later)
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has rejected claims the government is suppressing a report on alleged Russian interference in UK democracy until after the general election. The government has denied claims it is suppressing a report on alleged Russian interference in UK democracy until after the general election.
Sources said No 10 was stalling on releasing the report, which had gained the standard security clearance.Sources said No 10 was stalling on releasing the report, which had gained the standard security clearance.
Former head of MI5, Lord Evans of Weardale, is among those calling for the document to be released. A former head of MI5, Lord Evans of Weardale, is among those calling for the document to be published.
Mr Gove said the report was "going through appropriate procedures". Foreign minister Christopher Pincher said the PM would release the report in "due course".
"It's been lodged with Number 10 and it will be published in due course," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He added: "We cannot rush this process at the risk of undermining our national security."
He said he did not know whether it would be published before the general election on 12 December.
The report, by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, was finalised in March and referred to No 10 on 17 October.The report, by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, was finalised in March and referred to No 10 on 17 October.
It examines Russian activity including allegations of espionage, subversion and interference in elections and includes evidence from UK intelligence services such as GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 concerning covert Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum and 2017 general election. It examines Russian activity - including allegations of espionage, subversion and interference in elections - and includes evidence from UK intelligence services such as GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 concerning covert Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum and 2017 general election.
Approval for its publication has yet to be given.Approval for its publication has yet to be given.
Dominic Grieve, the chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said the process was usually completed within 10 working days. Dominic Grieve, the chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said there was no legitimate reason for delaying the report and voters had a right to see it before going to the polls.
He said there was no legitimate reason for delaying the report and voters had a right to see it before going to the polls. During an urgent question in the Commons, the former attorney general said there was a "longstanding agreement" that the prime minister would endeavour to respond to the committee's reports within 10 days.
The independent MP will ask an urgent question on the matter on Tuesday afternoon before Parliament is dissolved on Wednesday. Mr Grieve also said the intelligence agencies had indicated that publication of the report would not prejudice the discharge of their functions.
But foreign office minister Mr Pincher sad the turnaround time for the report was "not unusual" - and gave examples of reports that had taken six weeks to get Downing Street's approval.
'It should be released''It should be released'
Lord Evans, who was MI5 director general until 2013, told the Today programme ministers should explain why they were not prepared to release the report. Lord Evans, who was MI5 director general until 2013, earlier told the Today programme ministers should explain why they were not prepared to release the report.
"In principle, I think it should be released," he said."In principle, I think it should be released," he said.
"Part of the reason for having an Intelligence and Security Committee is that issues of public concern can be properly considered and the public can be informed through the publication of the reports once they have gone through the security process.""Part of the reason for having an Intelligence and Security Committee is that issues of public concern can be properly considered and the public can be informed through the publication of the reports once they have gone through the security process."
He added: "If the government have a reason why this should not be published before the election, then I think they should make it very clear what that reason is."He added: "If the government have a reason why this should not be published before the election, then I think they should make it very clear what that reason is."
Ex-terrorism watchdog Lord Anderson said on Monday further delay would "invite suspicion" of the government's motives ahead of the election.Ex-terrorism watchdog Lord Anderson said on Monday further delay would "invite suspicion" of the government's motives ahead of the election.