GCHQ leaks: Nick Clegg joins attack on The Guardian

 
PA
10 October 2013
WEST END FINAL

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Nick Clegg joined criticism of The Guardian today for publishing top-secret papers about how the UK gathers intelligence.

Speaking on LBC, the Deputy Prime Minister accepted there was a “legitimate debate” to be had about data-gathering practices at GCHQ.

But he went on: “I’ve got no doubt that there were some parts of what was published, which will have passed most readers of The Guardian completely by because they were very technical, but [they] would have been immensely interesting for people who want to do us harm.”

Earlier this year The Guardian published material leaked by former CIA employee Edward Snowden, who is now living as a fugitive in Russia, revealing how GCHQ can access international phone calls and web traffic.

Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, warned in a speech earlier this week that the leaks were helping terrorists. He has been backed by Downing Street and this morning Home Secretary Theresa May told BBC radio that revealing some information could “give some comfort to terrorists”. Guardian Editor Alan Rusbridger has defended his newspaper’s decision to publish information from Mr Snowden.

Mr Snowden’s father flew to Moscow today to see his son, whose whereabouts remains a closely guarded secret amid suspicions he is now under the permanent supervision of the Kremlin’s secret services. Lon Snowden said: “I’m here to learn more about my son’s situation. My hope is to learn more about his circumstances and his health and to discuss legal options.”

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