Blears: 'Intelligence agencies should be open and transparent'

There is a legitimate public expectation of openness and transparency in today's society, and the security and intelligence agencies are not exempt from that.

While we accept that they need to operate in secret if they are to be able to protect us from those who are plotting in secret to harm us, the Government must make every effort to ensure that information is placed in the public domain when it is safe to do so.

This report is an important first step toward greater transparency.

Nevertheless, there is more that could and should be done. This is essential to improve public understanding and retain confidence in the vital work of the intelligence and security Agencies.