The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has just published its report on the terrorist attacks which took place in the UK last year. The UK suffered five serious terrorist attacks at Westminster, Manchester Arena, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green. In total, 36…
Intelligence and Security Committee
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Following the terrorist attacks that took place on the UK mainland between March and June this year, the Home Secretary Amber Rudd commissioned former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, David Anderson QC, to provide independent assurance of the internal MI5 and police reviews. Anderson has…
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Imagine an ideal and risk-free world in which everyone would be charitable and mutually supportive. Everyone would be compassionate and friendly towards each other and malice would be rare (if it existed at all). It would be a world without envy or competition for status…
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The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) has found in favour of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and GCHQ on all points of law in a case brought by Privacy International and a group of seven Internet Service Providers. The IPT’s ruling made clear that the legal…
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Intelligence and Security Committee issues damning verdict on Draft Investigatory Powers Bill
by Brian SimsParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has now published its detailed assessment report on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill, with the latter representing the first major piece of legislation governing the security and intelligence agencies’ powers in over 15 years. Given the debate over the past few…
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Today, the Conservative Government has introduced “landmark legislation” designed to provide law enforcement bodies and the security and intelligence agencies with the investigatory powers they need to keep us all safe and fight crime in the digital age. The draft Investigatory Powers Bill sets out in unprecedented…
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Director General focuses on “a modern MI5” during Lord Mayor’s Defence and Security Lecture
by Brian SimsAndrew Parker, the Director General of MI5, has delivered the annual Lord Mayor’s Defence and Security Lecture in London. In a speech entitled ‘A Modern MI5’, Parker set out the tools that he believes the Security Service needs to stop terrorism in the online age. Parker stated that MI5’s ability to…
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Threat from terrorism “most serious facing Britain in security terms” urges MI5 director general
by Brian SimsEarlier today, MI5 director general Andrew Parker gave the first live interview by a serving head of the Security Service in the organisation’s 106-year history. Parker was interviewed at length on BBC Radio 4 and talked about the work of MI5 in keeping the nation safe, addressed some misconceptions…
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Investigatory Powers Review highlights law that’s “fragmented, obscure and under constant challenge”
by Brian SimsThis morning in Parliament, Prime Minister David Cameron published the much-anticipated report of the Investigatory Powers Review. Entitled ‘A Question of Trust’, the document was submitted by David Anderson QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation and a debate involving Home Secretary Theresa May was heard in the House.…
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Foreign Secretary praises diligent work of Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ in RUSI speech
by Brian SimsPhilip Hammond MP has given a detailed speech at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in which he praised the work of the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ. During his delivery, the Foreign Secretary focused on current threats to British citizens posed by international terrorist…