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GCHQ Prism spying allegations 'chilling' - Keith Vaz Concern grows over GCHQ Prism spying allegations
(35 minutes later)
Claims Britain's electronic listening post GCHQ has been gathering data through a secret US spy programme are "chilling," says a senior Labour MP. Home Secretary Theresa May is coming under pressure to investigate claims Britain's electronic listening post GCHQ has been gathering data through a secret US spy programme.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs committee, said he would be writing to the home secretary about the allegations in The Guardian. Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs committee, said the allegations were "chilling".
According to the newspaper, GCHQ had access to data covertly gathered from leading internet firms in the US. According to The Guardian, GCHQ had access to data covertly gathered from leading internet firms in the US.
GCHQ said it operated within a "strict legal and policy framework".GCHQ said it operated within a "strict legal and policy framework".
The Guardian says it has obtained documents showing that the secret listening post, based at Cheltenham, had access to the Prism system, set up by America's National Security Agency (NSA), since at least June 2010.
'Astonished'
The documents were said to show that the British agency had generated 197 intelligence reports through the system in the 12 months to May 2012 - a 137% increase on the previous year.
The newspaper said that the Prism programme appeared to allow GCHQ to circumvent the formal legal process required to obtain personal material, such as emails, photographs and videos, from internet companies based outside the UK.
Labour MP Keith Vaz, said: "I am astonished by these revelations which could involve the data of thousands of Britons.
"The most chilling aspect is that ordinary American citizens and potentially British citizens too were apparently unaware that their phone and online interactions could be watched.
"This seems to be the Snooper's Charter by the back door. I shall be writing to the home secretary asking for a full explanation."
The UK's data protection watchdog the information commissioner, also raised concerns about the report.
"There are real issues about the extent to which US law enforcement agencies can access personal data of UK and other European citizens," the watchdog statement said in a statement.
"Aspects of US law under which companies can be compelled to provide information to US agencies potentially conflict with European data protection law, including the UK's own Data Protection Act.
"The ICO has raised this with its European counterparts, and the issue is being considered by the European Commission, who are in discussions with the US government."