British spies do things differently now, official says, after scolding from lawmakers

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain's intelligence agencies have learned tough times since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and now do things differently, told Reuters after lawmakers said spies took 'inexcusable' actions.

British spies were criticized by the United States, and were involved in capturing people who were transferred to the United States.

"Today, we do things differently," a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

"We have learned the lessons of those difficult post-9/11 years and have matured, both in the Secret Intelligence Service and across government."

But the official also said spies were under intense pressure from their political masters at the time.

"Our staff was under pressure to deliver intelligence on the threat," the official said. "The immediate demand, to deliver intelligence to the defendant against the terrorist threat, became the overriding priority."

The official said officers in the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, had been given no training or legal guidance on conducting detainee interviews at the time.

"Given the circumstances, it is understandable yet regrettable that, occasionally, we did not get things right," the official said.

"But it is important to apply some perspective, SIS officers often had to exhibit great courage."