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THE BRITISH MINISTER responsible for international security has said reports that the UK’s surveillance agencies can access data collected by their American counterparts as “baseless”.
Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons that British law requires Government Communications HQ (GCHQ), the UK’s national electronic surveillance body, to seek written approval from a cabinet minister before it has the legal authority to intercept any data.
Hague said any proposals submitted by GCHQ are detailed, outline the extent of any planned operations, describe the intended benefits of the plan, comments from senior officials in Britain’s Foreign Office, and “comprehensive” legal advice.
“This is no casual process,” Hague told MPs. “Every decision is based on extensive legal and policy advice.
“These are not often difficult and finely-judged decisions,” he added. “We do not approve every proposal put before us.”
Hague described this mechanism – which was subject to review by an outside officer, who in turn answered to the prime minister – as a “vital” framework of democratic scrutiny.
Hague’s speech came following reports in The Guardian that GCHQ had been given a “back door” to access data which was collected by the PRISM programme of the National Security Agency – which, in turn, had access to user data collected by companies like Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft.
“This accusation is baseless,” Hague insisted. “Any data obtained by the us from the United States about UK nationals [is] subject to UK statutory controls and safeguards.
“Our intelligence-sharing work with the United States is subject to ministerial and independent oversights, and to scrutiny by the Security and Intelligence Committee” of the House of Commons, he added.
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Complete and utter lies.
Hague is an imperialist, pure and simple. His actions and statements re Syria have shown this.
Data-”baseless” in fact
NoSQL?
Maybe ,just maybe, the Brits are playing by the rules but the septic tanks have their own rules. Anyone for a nice little rendition flight ?
The layover in Shannon is too long, rubbish duty free, so I’ll pass on the free flight thanks.
Why are People surprised about being spyed on. Its béen going on for years.
Yeah Dermo but those of us that ever mentioned it were ridiculed as tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists , personally I don’t wear my tinfoil hat anymore as we are being proven to have been right over and over again . Even the United States of Europe which is now basically in full view ahead , some of us loons have been saying it for yrs .
Mr. Hague, xrjty plfrks wrubcd, mjdri, we believe you!
Has J**n B****n suffered rendition? She has not had a column on thejournal for a few hours now….has GCHQ been monitoring thejournal?
Well said William ; although an intelligent man such as yourself will appreciate these scurilous accusations as an excellent chance to defend the dignity and honesty of the British proud and yet humble compassionate contribution to the Human Race !
Well said sir ; as if !
Then why has Edward Snowden disappeared from his hotel room in Hong Kong?
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