DEMOS

The official assessment of the terrorist threat facing Britain has been made public for the first time today on the MI5 and Home Office websites. The threat level indicates that an attack in the UK is likely. The fact that the Home Office and MI5 took this decision is a positive step forward in tackling the lack of transparency around how decisions on security are made.  But some big issues remain.

Elsewhere Andrew Dismore, Chair of the joint committee on human rights was being interviewed on the Today Programme  about their latest report on protecting people from terrorism. His main complaint was that Eliza Manningham-Buller (DG of MI5) had refused to appear in front of the committee arguing that the Intelligence and Security Committee scrutinized the work of MI5 and therefore there was no reason why she should give evidence to another body.

But Dame Eliza misses the point. In alerting the public to the threat of an attack – the Home Office was also asking for the public’s help with its counter terrorism policy. The government has constantly argued that the responsibility for the nation’s security rests with its citizens as much as its security agencies. But if that is the case then government departments must work hard to build communication channels with citizens and begin to open up more. It will take more than a telephone number and an email address to build public trust and maintain public confidence in the security services.

So while making the threat level public is a very small step in the right direction it is still not enough. The government’s response to terrorism and organised crime is still to work behind close doors, consult with professionals and experts and decide future strategy in private committees. Intelligence continues to be stuff of fiction not of real debate.

If we are to realise the public value of security, understand the threats to society and to feel safe and secure we need to have a meaningful debate about our national security. Sadly, neither the left or right seem to be prepared to take up this challenge – we will be less secure because of it.