30 May 2024
Under the Justice and Security Act 2013, Members of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament hold office for the duration of a Parliament and therefore vacate their posts upon the dissolution of Parliament. The new Committee will be appointed after the 2024 General Election.
Members are appointed by the Houses of Parliament (having been nominated by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition). The Chair of the Committee is elected by its Members.
09:02, 30 May 2024
16 January 2024
The following appeared on the House of Commons Votes and Proceedings record for yesterday (Monday 15 January 2024):
8 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
Ordered, That Maria Eagle be removed from the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament under Schedule 1 to the Justice and Security Act 2013 and Dame Angela Eagle be appointed to that Committee under section 1 of that Act.
09:36, 16 January 2024
5 December 2023
The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has today published the following two Reports, and has also issued a press release in relation to each Report:
10:30, 5 December 2023
14 September 2023
The Government has today laid its response to the Committee’s ‘China’ Report, as it is obliged to do under the Memorandum of Understanding underpinning the Justice and Security Act 2013. The Committee will now consider the Government’s response to the 78 conclusions and recommendations contained in the Report.
However, the ISC Chairman, the Rt Hon. Sir Julian Lewis, said:
“I welcome this substantial attempt to respond to our Report. However, it is misleading repeatedly to imply – as the Government does – that our findings are outdated. Until two months before publication, we monitored all relevant developments and noted them throughout the Report. This was not difficult to do given the glacial pace at which the Government’s China policy developed.”
12:50, 14 September 2023
8 September 2023
The Rt Hon. Maria Eagle MP has, in accordance with the Justice and Security Act, written today to the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament tendering her resignation from the Committee.
18:54, 8 September 2023
19 July 2023
Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers MP Recusal from ISC Iran Inquiry
The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers MP has decided to recuse herself from the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Inquiry into national security issues relating to Iran. Ms Villiers regularly makes public statements on Iran and is mindful of the constraints that being involved in the ISC’s Iran Inquiry would place on her ability to continue to do so. Ms Villiers will therefore not be involved in any stage of the Committee’s Inquiry. (Any statements Ms Villiers therefore makes on Iran will be personal, rather than as a Member of the ISC.)
09:54, 19 July 2023
13 July 2023
The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has today published the following report ‘China’, and has also issued a press release:
10:35, 13 July 2023
10 July 2023
The Committee reiterates its deepest sympathies to the families of those affected by the Manchester Arena attack.
The Committee has thoroughly considered the Manchester Arena Inquiry Report Volume 3 which was issued on 2 March, and its related closed recommendations which were issued on 5 June. These raise important issues which will ensure that lessons are learned from the tragic events of 22 May 2017.
The Committee has noted the suggestion by Sir John Saunders, the Chairman of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament might conduct monitoring of his closed recommendations, and the Committee has considered whether it is the right body to do so. The Committee agrees with Sir John that it is important his recommendations must be implemented, and that an appropriate form of monitoring is essential to ensure that this happens.
In terms of monitoring Sir John’s recommendations however, the Committee considers that its direct accountability to Parliament, and the constraints it operates under in terms of public reporting, mean that it cannot be transparent about its work – and this will frustrate those who are invested in this work being taken forward. The Committee has concluded therefore that, while it will seek to do all it can through the implementation of its own recommendations, it is not the right body to monitor those proposed by Sir John’s Inquiry. Instead the Committee supports Sir John’s suggestion that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner monitor his recommendations, or that the Inquiry team be reconvened to do so.
11:11, 10 July 2023
4 July 2023
The Committee has sent the following letter to Lord Sharpe of Epsom regarding the National Security Bill.
10:18, 4 July 2023
21 June 2023
Further to the notification on Monday that the Prime Minister’s confirmation had still not been received in relation to the ISC’s ‘China’ Report, the Prime Minister provided that confirmation this afternoon. The ‘China’ Report will therefore be laid before Parliament ahead of the House rising for recess.
However, the Committee is still seeking answers from the Government as to why confirmation was delayed.
18:19, 21 June 2023
