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Hague to face MPs on GCHQ information-sharing claims David Cameron: Intelligence agencies work within law
(about 2 hours later)
Foreign Secretary William Hague is to give a statement to Parliament on allegations that the government's intelligence-gathering centre, GCHQ, circumvented the law to gather information on UK citizens. David Cameron has insisted intelligence agencies "operate within the law", amid allegations that the data-gathering centre GCHQ circumvented the law to gain information on UK citizens.
Ex-CIA worker Edward Snowden claims US agencies gathered and shared phone records and internet data.Ex-CIA worker Edward Snowden claims US agencies gathered and shared phone records and internet data.
The chairman of the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee said the law was "clear" that ministerial permission would be required for such actions. The prime minister said UK agencies were subject to "proper scrutiny" by Parliament and did a "fantastic job".
Labour said "assurances" were needed. Foreign Secretary William Hague will make a statement to MPs at 15:30 BST.
Mr Hague, who on Sunday said it was "nonsense" to suggest GCHQ had circumvented the law, will address MPs at 15:30 BST. The government has so far refused to confirm or deny claims GCHQ has had access to a US spy programme called Prism since June 2010.
He has so far refused to confirm or deny claims GCHQ has had access to a US spy programme called Prism since June 2010.
It is said to give America's National Security Agency and the FBI easy access to the systems of nine of the world's top internet companies, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo and Skype.It is said to give America's National Security Agency and the FBI easy access to the systems of nine of the world's top internet companies, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo and Skype.
All deny giving the US government access to their servers.All deny giving the US government access to their servers.
'Complex' 'Running commentary'
Speaking at an event in Essex, Mr Cameron said the UK's intelligence agencies "keep us safe", adding: "They are intelligence services that operate within the law... They are also subject to proper scrutiny by the Intelligence and Security Committee in the House of Commons.
"That scrutiny is important and I will make sure that it takes place."
Asked about the claims by Mr Snowden, Mr Cameron replied: "I cannot give a running commentary on intelligence issues."
He added: "I'm satisfied that we have intelligence agencies that do a fantastic job to keep us safe and operate within the law."
The chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Conservative MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The law is quite clear. If the British intelligence agencies are seeking to know the content of emails about people living in the United Kingdom, then they have to get authority. That means ministerial authority."The chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Conservative MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The law is quite clear. If the British intelligence agencies are seeking to know the content of emails about people living in the United Kingdom, then they have to get authority. That means ministerial authority."
He added: "This is a complex area."He added: "This is a complex area."
Former CIA technical worker Edward Snowden has been identified by the Guardian newspaper as the source of leaks about US surveillance programmes.Former CIA technical worker Edward Snowden has been identified by the Guardian newspaper as the source of leaks about US surveillance programmes.
Sir Malcolm said: "If you work for an intelligence agency, you are required to obey the law of the land."
Revealing confidential information "has consequences", he added.
GCHQ, based in Cheltenham, is said to have generated 197 intelligence reports through the system in the 12 months to May 2012 - a 137% increase on the previous year.GCHQ, based in Cheltenham, is said to have generated 197 intelligence reports through the system in the 12 months to May 2012 - a 137% increase on the previous year.
Mr Hague, the minister with responsibility for GCHQ, has said "law-abiding" UK citizens have "nothing to fear" from the UK intelligence services.Mr Hague, the minister with responsibility for GCHQ, has said "law-abiding" UK citizens have "nothing to fear" from the UK intelligence services.
'Hypocritical''Hypocritical'
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander told Today: "These agencies do vital work for us week in and week out. But it's also vital that the public have confidence that they are operating in a framework of legality."Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander told Today: "These agencies do vital work for us week in and week out. But it's also vital that the public have confidence that they are operating in a framework of legality."
Of Mr Hague, he said: "He needs to give assurances to the House about the... vital information-sharing relationship with the Unites States." Of Mr Hague's statement later, he said: "He needs to give assurances to the House about the... vital information-sharing relationship with the Unites States."
Mr Snowden told the Guardian he did not believe he had committed a crime: "We have seen enough criminality on the part of government. It is hypocritical to make this allegation against me."
Prism was reportedly established in 2007 in order to provide in-depth surveillance on live communications and stored information on foreigners overseas.Prism was reportedly established in 2007 in order to provide in-depth surveillance on live communications and stored information on foreigners overseas.
The content of phone conversations - what people say to each other when they are on the phone - is protected by the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, which forbids unreasonable searches.The content of phone conversations - what people say to each other when they are on the phone - is protected by the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, which forbids unreasonable searches.
However, information shared with a third party, such as phone companies, is not out of bounds.However, information shared with a third party, such as phone companies, is not out of bounds.
That means that data about phone calls - such as their timing and duration - can be scooped up by government officials.That means that data about phone calls - such as their timing and duration - can be scooped up by government officials.
Prism was authorised under changes to US surveillance laws passed under President George W Bush and renewed last year under Barack Obama.Prism was authorised under changes to US surveillance laws passed under President George W Bush and renewed last year under Barack Obama.
On Friday, Mr Obama defended the surveillance programmes as a "modest encroachment" on privacy, necessary to protect the US from terrorist attacks.On Friday, Mr Obama defended the surveillance programmes as a "modest encroachment" on privacy, necessary to protect the US from terrorist attacks.