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MPs fail to get spy chiefs out the shadows

Landmark 'grilling' branded a damp squib

A much-heralded parliamentary "grilling" of Britain's spy chiefs was branded a "damp squib" yesterday.

The spymasters - MI5 director general Andrew Parker, MI6 chief Sir John Sawers and GCHQ director Sir Iain Lobban appeared before the parliamentary intelligence and security committee amid growing concerns about security service accountability.

The public hearing was called following disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden of the surveillance activities of GCHQ and its US counterpart, the National Security Agency.

However if anyone was expecting the secret service chiefs to get the third degree they would be sorely disappointed.

Asked by the committee about suggestions that the work of the security and intelligence services was compromising freedom and democracy, Mr Parker dismissed the claim.

"The suggestion that somehow what we do is somehow compromising freedom and democracy, of course we believe the opposite to be the case," he said.

Allegations of British complicity in torture were raised by Labour MP Hazel Blears, but only briefly and without citing specific cases.

Both Mr Parker and Mr Sawers insisted that the security agencies would not pursue leads which would involve the torture or mistreatment of suspects."

Asked if he could say the agencies were "beyond reproach" on this issue, Mr Sawers said: "I'm very confident to be able to answer your question Yes."

But Reprieve's strategic director Cori Crider said the hearing had given "a clear demonstration, if one were needed, of just how inadequate the committee is as a watchdog on the intelligence services."

Not one of the committee had asked about the alleged role of MI6 in the rendition of Gadaffi opponents and their families back to Tripoli - a case which is currently before the British courts and under police investigation.

"They also failed to question GCHQ over its role in providing support to the CIA covert drone programme, which has killed hundreds of civilians in Pakistan and Yemen and violates international law," Ms Crider said.

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