INDEX	November 14, 2024
The Constitution Society 14th November 2024 Is it Time to Reform the Intelligence and Security Committee?	An organisation that I was previously unaware existed, the Constitution Society, has weighed in against the present set up of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. The ISC is supposed to keep a check on the spooks. The Constitution Society appears to be pushing at an open door since in December 2023 the ISC complained about having its teeth removed. Of course, these committees like to talk tough since it makes them look important. James Sweetland of the Constitution Society writes:"Unlike the standard parliamentary select committee (which has much greater independence from government), the ISC, both pre and post the 2013 reforms, has always toed a much finer line. Every ISC member is, after all, approved by the PM. And the publication of ISC material is reliant on the PM's sign-off. In recent years, there have been controversial incidents relating to both these elements." In the the world of smoke and mirrors attempts to create a more open and tolerant society often end up producing a more restrictive society. It would be a pity if that was what was really going on here.
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT December 5, 2023 Spooks watchdog complains about having its teeth removed
INDEX Jonathan Brind	November 14, 2024