MSPs to challenge ‘spying’ policy

Holyrood should be included in a ban on spying on parliamentarians by the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), according to a motion signed by a cross-party group of MSPs.

The motion by independent MSP John Finnie adds to a growing number of voices challenging Prime Minister David Cameron over the revelation GCHQ changed rules to allow eavesdropping on members of devolved parliaments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Security agencies have been banned from tapping the phones or reading the emails of MPs since 1966 under a convention called the “Wilson Doctrine” after the then Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.

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GCHQ has recently dropped the devolved parliaments from the guidance, it has emerged.

The secret decision was uncovered by Green MP Caroline Lucas, Lady Jones of Moulsecoomb, and the former Respect MP George Galloway, who launched a legal challenge against all the intelligence agencies, the Home Office and the Foreign Office after they believed their emails were being intercepted.

Finnie said he applauded Lucas for challenging a “big brother” culture.

“The Wilson Doctrine is an important safeguard of the freedom and independence of parliament from state power. It helps defend us all against the risk of security agencies blurring the line between protecting the interests of the nation, and protecting the interests of the government,” he said.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to David Cameron last week to demand assurances that communications from MSPs had been intercepted.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray also tabled questions in the Commons asking whether MSPs had been spied on.

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick also joined her Welsh counterpart in writing to number 10 seeking “urgent clarification”.

Finnie added: “David Cameron has promised respect for devolution; that means he has to recognise the right of MSPs, Welsh AMs and Northern Irish MLAs to the same protection as MPs.”

Last week’s tribunal which revealed the changes to the Wilson Doctrine also revealed MI5 and MI6 operate under different rules, the latter able to intercept communications without the Prime Minister’s approval after authorisation from former foreign secretary David Miliband.