MPs urge PM not to interfere in election

PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has been urged not to interfere in the election of the new chairman of Parliament’s intelligence watchdog.

Mr Johnson is widely believed to want former Cabinet Minister Chris Grayling to head the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

The ex-Transport Secretary – dubbed “failing Grayling” following a series of policy gaffes – is one of nine MPs and peers nominated to serve on the ISC. Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson is also in the running, with the Commons due to vote on the membership on Monday.

With the Conservatives enjoying a majority – with five places – there is concern at Westminster that the Tory members will be “whipped” to support Mr Johnson’s choice. However, the ISC chairman in the last Parliament – former Attorney General Dominic Grieve – said the Prime Minister should stay out of the election.

He said it was essential that the chairman could command crossparty respect and was seen to be independent of government.

“The whole point about this committee is it is non-partisan,” he said. “The Prime Minister nor anybody should be seeking to tell the committee who should be the chair, it is for the committee to decide under the statute which sets it up.”

Once the membership of the committee has been confirmed by both Houses, it will be up to the members to elect a chairman.