posted 5 Feb 2013 03:06 by ISC Admin
[
updated 5 Feb 2013 03:11
]
The Intelligence and Security Committee has published its Report into the use of communications data by the intelligence and security Agencies; a copy is available here. It was published by means of a Written Ministerial Statement by the Prime Minister. The Committee has also issued the attached press release. |
posted 11 Dec 2012 00:51 by ISC Admin
The Intelligence and Security Committee has completed its inquiry into the use of communications data by the intelligence and security Agencies. A full report containing classified material has been sent to the Prime Minister, and the Committee intends to publish as much of this as possible within the next few weeks. In the meantime, and to coincide with the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee that has been conducting pre-legislative scrutiny on the Government's draft Communications Data Bill, the ISC is today publishing the conclusions of its investigation. |
posted 12 Jul 2012 01:44 by ISC Admin
The Intelligence and Security Committee’s Annual Report for 2011-2012
was laid before Parliament today by the Prime Minister. The Committee
has issued the attached Press Release. The Report can be found here. The Government's formal response is expected to be published in the autumn. |
posted 14 Jun 2012 04:46 by ISC Admin
Following the publication of the Government's draft Communications Data Bill earlier today, the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, has issued the following statement: “The Government has today published a draft
Communications Data Bill which aims to update the current legislation that
allows public bodies – including the intelligence and security Agencies and the
police – to access information relating to communications data. The Bill will now be subject to
pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of Parliament. Given the importance of communications data
to the work undertaken by the intelligence Agencies, the ISC has begun its own
investigation into this area. We will take
evidence and examine the rationale behind the proposals and how rigorous the safeguards
are to ensure the privacy of individuals.”
|
posted 27 Mar 2012 04:45 by ISC Admin
[
updated 27 Mar 2012 04:46
]
The Chairman of the ISC, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, has issued the attached statement in relation to the Government's Green Paper on Justice and Security on behalf of the Committee. |
posted 18 Jan 2012 05:01 by ISC Admin
Following today's announcement by the Secretary of State for Justice regarding the Detainee Inquiry, the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, has issued the statement below: "On 5 September 2011, the ISC announced that it would be considering allegations made about the relationship between the UK security and intelligence Agencies and the Libyan security services, including both the nature and extent of the UK-Libya intelligence-sharing relationship and the rendition of Libyan nationals.
The Committee will, at its meeting tomorrow, be considering the implications of today’s statement on the Detainee Inquiry by the Secretary of State for Justice for its own investigation of rendition issues – bearing in mind the ongoing police investigations.
The Committee’s investigation of the UK’s wider intelligence relationship with the Libyans (an issue which did not fall within the scope of the Detainee Inquiry) will continue."
|
posted 20 Dec 2011 04:35 by ISC Admin
The ISC has written to the Prime Minister's National Security Adviser in response to the Government's Green Paper on Justice and Security. A copy of the letter is attached.
|
posted 19 Oct 2011 07:47 by ISC Admin
The Green Paper on Justice and Security was laid before Parliament today by the Secretary of State for Justice. The Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, has issued the following statement: "I strongly welcome the publication today of the Government’s Green Paper on Justice and Security.
The risk of our courts disclosing foreign intelligence material, which allies had presumed to be shared in confidence, is extremely concerning. This undermines the ‘control principle’ – a key facet of intelligence sharing relationships – and risks damaging our national security. Additional protection for intelligence material is urgently needed. Yet it is also crucial, in the interests of justice, that the courts have access to all the relevant material in forming their judgments. Striking the right balance between keeping secrets secret and ensuring fairness in our courts is at the heart of this important consultation. The Intelligence and Security Committee will examine the Government’s proposals in detail, and respond in due course.
The Green Paper also contains proposals for reform of the oversight arrangements for the UK intelligence community. I am pleased that the Government has accepted the vast majority of the Intelligence and Security Committee’s own proposals in its Green Paper published today. This is a strong endorsement of our desire to modernise and strengthen parliamentary oversight of the intelligence community in this country. If implemented in full, the ISC will become a Committee of Parliament with greater authority, effectiveness, resources and credibility. It will significantly enhance oversight of the United Kingdom intelligence community in a manner in which Parliament and the public can have full confidence. These are significant reforms which I hope will earn widespread support."
Copies of the Green Paper and the Committee's Press Release are attached. |
posted 12 Oct 2011 05:18 by ISC Admin
[
updated 12 Oct 2011 05:19
]
The Government's Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Annual Report for 2010-2011
was laid before Parliament today by the Prime Minister. A copy of the
Government's Response can be found here. |
posted 5 Sep 2011 09:09 by ISC Admin
The Chairman of the ISC, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, has issued the following statement on behalf of the Committee: “The Intelligence and Security Committee is considering allegations made about the relationship between the UK security and intelligence Agencies and the Libyan security services. The Committee has requested clarification from the Agencies as to the nature and extent of intelligence-sharing with the Libyan security services, and the rendition of Libyan nationals.” |
|
