Government insists British spies operate within the law

The Foreign Secretary has set out to reassure the law abiding public that there is nothing to fear from British security services. He wouldn't talk directly about claims that GCHQ was able to access a US data gathering system. But William Hague did say British intelligence would never use its partnership with the United States to get around UK laws.

In a Commons statement, Mr Hague told MPs the UK was facing a growing threat from terrorists which had peaked last summer during the Olympics. He said it was essential British agencies had the freedom to collaborate with their counterparts in the US.

William Hague also insisted the Government remained committed to bringing forward new powers to monitor communications over the internet.

He said there remained a "very strong case" for bringing forward proposals for a communications data Bill even though Britain's security services have the tools they need to keep citizen's safe.

Our Political Editor, Tom Bradby reports.