The British View of Security and Intelligence

Abstract

Foreign intelligence in the British view requires human espionage by the Secret Intelligence Service as well as technical collection, especially by the signals intelligence (Sigint) agency, the Government Communications Headquarters. Beyond the belief that major powers require Humint as well as Sigint, it is difficult any longer to talk about 'the British view of security and intelligence'. In Britain the activities of the intelligence and security services have always been regarded in much the same light as intra-marital sex. Significant erosion of the intelligence taboos during the Thatcher decade concerns the use made of the Security Commission. Under previous governments it was used to report only on breaches of security within Whitehall and the armed services and on sexual irregularities by ministers. Probably the most striking aspect of the growing support for external accountability is the attitude of the Security Service itself. Sigint officers have traditionally tended to regard the mere mention of their existence as a breach of security.