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GCHQ

01 July 1992

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Robin Robison, former clerk in the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), revealed the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intercepted faxes and telephones calls from Mr Robert Maxwell in 1989 and passed them to the Bank of England. Two officials from the Bank of England were at that time seconded to the economic intelligence section of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). Generally on GCHQ's activities Mr Robison said: "My impression was GCHQ could intercept anything they liked. Every overseas call, every telex, every fax. They didn't need to put on a phone tap, they just flicked a few switches". GCHQ is also routinely intercepting telephone calls and faxes from charities like Christian Aid and Amnesty together with surveillance "targets" including academics and media figures. According to the group of signals intelligence operatives this is usually done without a warrant and is often based on speculation.

Independent 16.6.92; Guardian 13.6.92; Observer 26.6.92.

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