GCHQ Leaks Have Already Caused 'Real Damage' Warns Security Adviser

Oliver Robbins

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The mass GCHQ leaks have already caused “real damage” to UK security, put agent lives at risk and could even threaten the economy and international relations, the deputy national security advisor has warned.

Oliver Robbins said the Edward Snowden revelations, published by the Guardian newspaper, could lead “directly to widespread loss of life” and “threaten the internal stability of the UK”.

A senior MP also accused the newspaper and Snowden of being “naïve” if they thought they could identify what parts of the stolen files would damage national security if publicised.

On Tuesday, Andrew Parker, the new head of MI5, used his first speech to launch a scathing attack on the leaks warning they had “gifted” the terrorists the ability to attack “at will”.

He said revealing intelligence techniques had given fanatics the advantage that allowed them to evade detection.

David Cameron, the Prime Minister, backed the comments. » | Tom Whitehead, and Steven Swinford | Wednesday, October 09, 2013