David Davis comments on the alleged collection of communications data by the NSA and GCHQ

In response to the alleged collection of communications data by the NSA and GCHQ Rt Hon David Davis has said:

“GCHQs assertions that this collection of data on British citizens from a foreign intelligence agency is all subject to proper scrutiny and accountability, is difficult to reconcile with the fact that parliament had no knowledge of it whatsoever. In the absence of parliamentary knowledge approval by a secretary of state is a process of authorisation, not a process of holding to account.  Since nobody knew it was happening at all there is no possibility of complaint.  No review will be conducted by the two commissioners;  the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner. Furthermore since it is outside the normal remit of UK intelligence it is hard to see how the ISC would have the resources or access to ensure the NSA behaved appropriately.

For these reasons the GCHQ claim that the use of PRISM to collect intelligence on British citizens is subject to proper oversight seems hard to stand up.”