Official report wants British spy agencies to retain intrusive powers

A new official report suggests the UK intelligence agencies should be allowed to keep mass spying activities including its metadata gathering powers.

In a 373-page report published on Thursday, official reviewer of counter-terrorism laws has also proposed some changes saying the power to issue interception warrants should be transferred from ministers to judges.

The report was commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron last year. The findings are likely to feed into proposed legislative changes on spying announced in the Queen’s speech at the beginning of Cameron’s second term in office.