2012 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
6.5.2 Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)
My formal inspection visits to SIS took place in April and October 2012. Prior to my inspection I
selected a number of warrants of varied types to review.
During my inspection I received presentations in relation to specific interception warrants
and, when necessary, was able to discuss the rationale behind the warrants with the officers
concerned. I believe that scrutiny of those interception warrants selected, combined with the
level of discussion I was able to have with a cross-section of staff on the subject of legalities
during my inspection and wider briefing visits is sufficient for me to conclude that compliance at
SIS was robust.
We also discussed the technical errors reported to my office and I was satisfied with the measures
put in place to prevent recurrence.
Once again, I was satisfied that officers working for SIS conduct themselves in accordance with
the highest levels of ethical and legal compliance.
6.5.3 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
I also undertake inspection visits to the FCO. The purpose of these visits is to meet with those
senior officials at the Department of State who advise the Secretary of State on matters related
to his signing of GCHQ and SIS authorisations. I also undertake an additional scrutiny of SIS and
GCHQ warrantry submissions during these visits.
For the purposes of this scrutiny I select in advance from the lists of current and cancelled
warrants supplied by the FCO. My selection may include some warrants already examined, or to
be examined, at agency inspections as well as other warrants not reviewed elsewhere.
My formal inspection visits were held in May and October 2012. Once again, I was satisfied with
both the information provided to me at the FCO and the levels of oversight and compliance
shown by those officials I met.
6.5.4 Security Service (MI5)
My formal inspection visits to MI5 took place in May and October 2012. Prior to the inspection
I selected a number of warrants of varied types to review. During my formal inspection visits
to MI5, I met the Director General and held meetings with Deputy Director General alongside
the heads of various divisions focussed on counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation and counterintelligence. We also discussed the planning and preparation for the 2012 London Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
I received presentations in relation to specific interception warrants and, when necessary, was
able to discuss the rationale behind the warrants with the officers concerned and legal advisers.
18