§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the comments by Richard Tomlinson concerning the training of MI6 personnel in the Gosport and Portsmouth area, with particular reference to illegal entry into people's homes. [148177]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 1 February 2001]: In accordance with well established policy I am not prepared to comment on speculation about alleged intelligence operations. This applies equally to the allegations described in the book by Mr. Tomlinson, who has a history of spreading sensationalist and misleading material. I can confirm, however, that officials of the intelligence services in the UK, including those undertaking training, are required at all times to carry out their work in accordance with the law.