UK Parliament issues warning over new Whitehall intelligence units
Growth of intelligence community not matched by oversight
ISC chair Sir Julian Lewis (UK Parliament/CC.3.0).
The UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has published two new reports this week.
Brexiteers are celebrating the report on international partnerships because of its conclusion that EU withdrawal hasn’t affected intelligence liaison. What’s less clear is how Brexit has affected security in Northern Ireland. Although the Committee asked MI5 director general Ken McCallum about this issue, his answer is redacted.1
On the key issue of law and human rights in liaison relationships, the Committee is broadly positive about the current situation, while acknowledging that 'there must be no complacency. The history of the Agencies’ work with partners on detainee issues has been problematic – at best.'2
The ISC’s annual report, also issued today, is more critical of the Government. Announcing its findings, ISC chair Sir Julian Lewis warned that the Government had expanded the number of departments with intelligence and security responsibilites, without expanding the Committee’s oversight remit to match. ‘It is deeply disappointing that effective scrutiny of national security issues is being prevented, in direct contravention of commitments given to Parliament,’ he said.3
According to the ISC, the departments that have gained security responsibilities since its current remit was established in 2013 include ‘the Investment Security Unit in the Cabinet Office; the Telecoms Security and Resilience Team in DSIT; the Counter Disinformation Unit in DSIT; the Office of Communications in DCMS; the Transport Security, Resilience and Response Group in DfT; and the Intelligence Policy Department in FCDO.’4
International Partnerships, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, 5 December 2023, pp.90-91.
International Partnerships, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, 5 December 2023, p.50.
Press Notice: Annual Report 2022-23, Intelligence and Security of Parliament, 5 December 2023, p.1.
Press Notice: Annual Report 2022-23, Intelligence and Security of Parliament, 5 December 2023, p.2.