UK intelligence chiefs to be quizzed by MPs
The heads of the UK's spying agencies are to face an unprecedented televised grilling by MPs.
Concerns arose over "snooping" by the state after data-gathering centre GCHQ was cited in leaks
GCHQ director Sir Iain Lobban, MI5 director general Andrew Parker and MI6 chief Sir John Sawers will be quizzed by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) in public at 14:00 GMT.
Intelligence chiefs have given evidence in private for many years.
The questioning follows leaks by ex-US security contractor Edward Snowden which raised concerns about spying.
Documents leaked to the Guardian newspaper by Mr Snowden - who is currently in Moscow where he has sought sanctuary from the US - revealed that agencies are able to tap into the internet communications of millions of ordinary citizens through GCHQ's Tempora programme.
Leaks also suggested its American counterpart, the National Security Agency (NSA), had bugged the phone calls of several world leaders.
The ISC - chaired by former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind - has already carried out a limited investigation into claims that GCHQ used the NSA's vast Prism programme, which gathers information from internet companies, to circumvent UK laws.
Although the committee cleared the agency of any wrongdoing in the 197 specific intelligence reports it looked at, it is now undertaking a wider inquiry into whether the laws governing surveillance are adequate for the internet age.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web, has said encryption cracking by UK and US spy agencies is "appalling and foolish".
Intelligence chiefs are expected to be asked about Mr Snowden, as well as subjects including terrorist threats and cybersecurity. Subjects off limits will include details of intelligence techniques and ongoing operations.
Mr Parker took over as head of the security service MI5 earlier this year. MI6 is charged with gathering intelligence and GCHQ with monitoring communications.
The session is expected to last an hour and a half.
It will be shown on the BBC News Channel, with a short time delay to prevent anything being broadcast that might endanger national security or the safety of those working for the agencies.
The ISC, made up of senior MPs and peers, said the meeting would "give an insight into the world of intelligence and the work the agencies do on behalf of the UK".
The committee said the move was "a very significant step forward in terms of the openness and transparency of the agencies".
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