UK intelligence chiefs to be quizzed by MPs

[Pimander]

The heads of the UK's spying agencies are to face an unprecedented televised grilling by MPs.

GCHQ director Sir Iain Lobban, MI5 director general Andrew Parker and MI6 chief Sir John Sawers will be quizzed by the Intelligence and Security Committee in public at 14:00 GMT.



Intelligence chiefs have given evidence in private for many years.

The questioning follows leaks by ex-US security contractor Edward Snowden which raised concerns about spying.

Documents leaked to the Guardian newspaper by Mr Snowden - who is currently in Moscow where he has sought sanctuary from the US - revealed that agencies are able to tap into the internet communications of millions of ordinary citizens through GCHQ's Tempora programme.

Leaks also suggested its American counterpart, the National Security Agency, had bugged the phone calls of several world leaders.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24847399

I think it can be viewed here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_parliament/watchlive

[Somamech]

How did this turn out Pim?

[Sinny]

Same as always - under the carpet as yesterdays news.

[Pimander]

How did this turn out Pim?

Pretty much as Sinny said.  They said very little other than scripted replies to not particularly penetrating questions.  I was left with the feeling that the MPs were briefed with what they could ask so that no conclusions could be drawn from what was not in the replies.  Does that make sense?

[zorgon]

Smoke and Mirror Dog and Pony show for the public

They did the same way back when with the Avro Car