Difference between revisions of "Intelligence and Security Committee"
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{{Infobox organization | {{Infobox organization | ||
| − | | name = Intelligence and Security Committee | + | | name = [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] |
| image = Official portrait of Mr Kevan Jones crop 2 - Powerbase.jpg | | image = Official portrait of Mr Kevan Jones crop 2 - Powerbase.jpg | ||
| image_size = 250px | | image_size = 250px | ||
| caption = Kevan Jones, later Lord Beamish, Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee. | | caption = Kevan Jones, later Lord Beamish, Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee. | ||
| + | | type = Parliamentary intelligence-oversight committee | ||
| + | |||
| + | | founded = 1994, under the Intelligence Services Act<ref name="infobox2026_origin">[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/intelligence.aspx Intelligence and Security Committee], Cabinet Office, accessed 28 February 2010.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | | status = Committee of Parliament; nine members on the roster checked in November 2026<ref name="infobox2026_membership">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/committee-membership/ Committee Membership] (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | | area_served = United Kingdom | ||
| + | |||
| + | | services = Scrutiny of intelligence policy, expenditure, administration and operations<ref name="infobox2026_remit">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, "[https://isc.independent.gov.uk/how-the-committee-works/ How the Committee works]", undated, accessed 6 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | | key_people = [[Kevan Jones]] ([[Kevan Jones|Lord Beamish]]) — Chair; [[Jeremy Wright]] — Deputy Chair<ref name="infobox2026_membership"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | | website = [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/ Official website] | ||
| + | | remarks = Members appointed by Parliament after Prime Ministerial nomination and opposition consultation; Chair elected by members<ref name="infobox2026_membership"/> | ||
| + | |||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] was established under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to oversee the three main British intelligence agencies, [[MI5]], [[MI6]] and [[GCHQ]]. It expanded its remit to include intelligence related elements of the [[Cabinet Office]] including the [[Joint Intelligence Committee]] (JIC); the [[Assessments Staff]]; and the [[Intelligence, Security and Resilience Group]]. The Committee also takes evidence from the [[Defence Intelligence Staff]] (DIS).<ref>[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/intelligence.aspx Intelligence and Security Committee], Cabinet Office, accessed 28 February 2010.</ref> | + | The [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] was established under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to oversee the three main British intelligence agencies, [[Security Service|MI5]], [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] and [[Government Communications Headquarters|GCHQ]]. It expanded its remit to include intelligence related elements of the [[Cabinet Office]] including the [[Joint Intelligence Committee]] ([[Joint Intelligence Committee|JIC]]); the [[Assessments Staff]]; and the [[Intelligence, Security and Resilience Group]]. The Committee also takes evidence from the [[Defence Intelligence|Defence Intelligence Staff]] (DIS).<ref>[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/intelligence.aspx Intelligence and Security Committee], Cabinet Office, accessed 28 February 2010.</ref> |
Today it oversees the following: | Today it oversees the following: | ||
| − | The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) examines the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of the Agencies and Departments which form the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC): | + | The [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] of Parliament ([[Intelligence and Security Committee|ISC]]) examines the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of the Agencies and Departments which form the [[UK Intelligence Community]] (UKIC): |
| − | *[[MI5]] (the Security Service); | + | *[[Security Service|MI5]] (the [[Security Service]]); |
| − | *[[MI6]] (the Secret Intelligence Service); | + | *[[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] (the [[Secret Intelligence Service]]); |
| − | *[[GCHQ]] (Government Communications Headquarters); | + | *[[Government Communications Headquarters|GCHQ]] ([[Government Communications Headquarters]]); |
| − | *[[Defence Intelligence]] in the Ministry of Defence; | + | *[[Defence Intelligence]] in the [[Ministry of Defence]]; |
*the [[National Cyber Force]] (NCF); | *the [[National Cyber Force]] (NCF); | ||
| − | *the [[Joint Intelligence Organisation]] (JIO) in the Cabinet Office; | + | *the [[Joint Intelligence Organisation]] ([[Joint Intelligence Organisation|JIO]]) in the [[Cabinet Office]]; |
| − | *the [[National Security Secretariat]] (NSS) in the Cabinet Office; and | + | *the [[National Security Secretariat]] (NSS) in the [[Cabinet Office]]; and |
| − | *[[Homeland Security Group]] in the Home Office.<ref>https://isc.independent.gov.uk/how-the-committee-works/</ref> | + | *[[Homeland Security Group]] in the [[Home Office]].<ref>[https://isc.independent.gov.uk/how-the-committee-works/ How the Committee works], accessed 6 November 2026 (original citation did not state an author or publication date).</ref> |
==People== | ==People== | ||
| Line 22: | Line 36: | ||
The Committee’s official membership page, checked on 6 November 2026, lists the following nine members. The same roster appears in its press notice of 26 February 2026:<ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/committee-membership/ Committee Membership] (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref><ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260226-ISC-Press-Notice.docx-1.pdf Press Notice], 26 February 2026, accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref> | The Committee’s official membership page, checked on 6 November 2026, lists the following nine members. The same roster appears in its press notice of 26 February 2026:<ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/committee-membership/ Committee Membership] (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref><ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260226-ISC-Press-Notice.docx-1.pdf Press Notice], 26 February 2026, accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref> | ||
*[[Kevan Jones|Lord Beamish]] — Chair | *[[Kevan Jones|Lord Beamish]] — Chair | ||
| − | *Sir Jeremy Wright — Deputy Chair | + | *[[Jeremy Wright|Sir Jeremy Wright]] — Deputy Chair |
| − | *Baroness Brown of Cambridge | + | *[[Julia King|Baroness Brown of Cambridge]] |
| − | *Peter Dowd | + | *[[Peter Dowd]] |
| − | *Richard Foord | + | *[[Richard Foord]] |
| − | *Sir John Hayes | + | *[[John Hayes|Sir John Hayes]] |
| − | *Jessica Morden | + | *[[Jessica Morden]] |
| − | *Derek Twigg | + | *[[Derek Twigg]] |
| − | *Lord West of Spithead | + | *[[Alan West|Lord West of Spithead]] |
Members are appointed by Parliament after nomination by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition; the Chair is elected by Committee members.<ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/committee-membership/ Committee Membership] (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref> | Members are appointed by Parliament after nomination by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition; the Chair is elected by Committee members.<ref>Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/committee-membership/ Committee Membership] (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).</ref> | ||
| Line 35: | Line 49: | ||
[[File:Marco Rubio meets with three Members of Parliament during his official visit to London - Powerbase.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Marco Rubio meets British MPs, including then Intelligence and Security Committee Chair Malcolm Rifkind, during a visit to London.]] | [[File:Marco Rubio meets with three Members of Parliament during his official visit to London - Powerbase.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Marco Rubio meets British MPs, including then Intelligence and Security Committee Chair Malcolm Rifkind, during a visit to London.]] | ||
==External Resources== | ==External Resources== | ||
| − | *Richard Norton-Taylor, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/21/security-intelligence-agencies-evidence-public Security and intelligence agencies to give evidence in public for first time], guardian.co.uk, 21 June 2011. | + | *[[Richard Norton-Taylor]], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/21/security-intelligence-agencies-evidence-public Security and intelligence agencies to give evidence in public for first time], guardian.co.uk, 21 June 2011. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Historical descriptions and sources== | ||
| + | ===Earlier description=== | ||
| + | The following historical wording records the earlier description and its cited sources. References to incumbents or organisational structures apply to that earlier account, not to November 2026. Assertions without a citation have not been independently verified; the dated updates elsewhere on this page distinguish subsequent changes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. Dr. [[Kim Howells]] MP (Chair). | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. [[Michael Ancram]] QC MP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. Sir [[Menzies Campbell]] CBE QC MP, | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Mr [[Ben Chapman]] MP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. [[George Foulkes|Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. [[George Howarth]] MP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. [[Michael Mates]] MP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Mr [[Richard Ottaway]] MP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Ms [[Dari Taylor]] MP.<ref>[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/intelligence/committee_membership.aspx Committee Membership], Cabinet Office.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Rt. Hon. [[Peter Archer|Lord Archer of Sandwell]], QC (Peter Archer)<ref name="restored_10_pre-publish_nov">BPCIF, [http://iran-freedom.org/pdf/november2005.pdf "1300 British Lawyers Call for Removal of Unjust Terror Tag from Iranian Mojahedin"], British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom, November 2005, accessed on 21 December 2010</ref> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 23:31, 6 November 2026
| Intelligence and Security Committee
| |
|---|---|
| Logo |  Kevan Jones, later Lord Beamish, Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee. |
| Type | Parliamentary intelligence-oversight committee |
| Founded | 1994, under the Intelligence Services Act[1] |
| Status | Committee of Parliament; nine members on the roster checked in November 2026[2] |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Services | Scrutiny of intelligence policy, expenditure, administration and operations[3] |
| Key people | Kevan Jones (Lord Beamish) — Chair; Jeremy Wright — Deputy Chair[2] |
| Website | Official website |
| Remarks | Members appointed by Parliament after Prime Ministerial nomination and opposition consultation; Chair elected by members[2] |
The Intelligence and Security Committee was established under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to oversee the three main British intelligence agencies, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. It expanded its remit to include intelligence related elements of the Cabinet Office including the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC); the Assessments Staff; and the Intelligence, Security and Resilience Group. The Committee also takes evidence from the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS).[4]
Today it oversees the following: The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) examines the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of the Agencies and Departments which form the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC):
- MI5 (the Security Service);
- MI6 (the Secret Intelligence Service);
- GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters);
- Defence Intelligence in the Ministry of Defence;
- the National Cyber Force (NCF);
- the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) in the Cabinet Office;
- the National Security Secretariat (NSS) in the Cabinet Office; and
- Homeland Security Group in the Home Office.[5]
People
Committee Members
The Committee’s official membership page, checked on 6 November 2026, lists the following nine members. The same roster appears in its press notice of 26 February 2026:[6][7]
- Lord Beamish — Chair
- Sir Jeremy Wright — Deputy Chair
- Baroness Brown of Cambridge
- Peter Dowd
- Richard Foord
- Sir John Hayes
- Jessica Morden
- Derek Twigg
- Lord West of Spithead
Members are appointed by Parliament after nomination by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition; the Chair is elected by Committee members.[8]
External Resources
- Richard Norton-Taylor, Security and intelligence agencies to give evidence in public for first time, guardian.co.uk, 21 June 2011.
Historical descriptions and sources
Earlier description
The following historical wording records the earlier description and its cited sources. References to incumbents or organisational structures apply to that earlier account, not to November 2026. Assertions without a citation have not been independently verified; the dated updates elsewhere on this page distinguish subsequent changes.
- Rt. Hon. Dr. Kim Howells MP (Chair).
- Rt. Hon. Michael Ancram QC MP.
- Rt. Hon. Sir Menzies Campbell CBE QC MP,
- Mr Ben Chapman MP.
- Rt. Hon. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock.
- Rt. Hon. George Howarth MP.
- Rt. Hon. Michael Mates MP.
- Mr Richard Ottaway MP.
- Ms Dari Taylor MP.[9]
- Rt. Hon. Lord Archer of Sandwell, QC (Peter Archer)[10]
Notes
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee, Cabinet Office, accessed 28 February 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Committee Membership (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, "How the Committee works", undated, accessed 6 November 2026.
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee, Cabinet Office, accessed 28 February 2010.
- ↑ How the Committee works, accessed 6 November 2026 (original citation did not state an author or publication date).
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Committee Membership (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Press Notice, 26 February 2026, accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Committee Membership (undated), accessed 6 November 2026 (Europe/London, GMT).
- ↑ Committee Membership, Cabinet Office.
- ↑ BPCIF, "1300 British Lawyers Call for Removal of Unjust Terror Tag from Iranian Mojahedin", British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom, November 2005, accessed on 21 December 2010