NEW: Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee Dominic Grieve tells Sky that Downing Street's assertion that it takes six weeks to clear reports is "completely and utterly untrue, it's a lie". He says he's "really beginning to worry" about what No10 spokespeople are saying
MORE: Dominic Grieve says No10 is telling "whopping untruths" about the sign off timetable and his Committee's report needs to be published before the election because "it has a bearing on electoral processes" as we know of Russian interference in other votes
MORE: Downing Street maintains that six weeks is needed to clear reports of this nature and they have only had the Russia report for two - and that the Committee is well informed of the process.
MORE: On leaks in the past few days about the Intel and Security Committee report, Mr Grieve says they will not have come from Committee members and says all he has seen is "speculation" from journalists. The Committee takes sensitive intel evidence so leaks are not good!
So who is right on the timetable for publishing the Intelligence and Security Committee report? Grieve or No10?
One non-party political source with a knowledge of the process said it was a grey area. But added they couldn’t see any reason why Number Ten shouldn’t publish.
One non-party political source with a knowledge of the process said it was a grey area. But added they couldn’t see any reason why Number Ten shouldn’t publish.
Sky has also spoken to a number of current and former ISC members and Chairs today from both main parties. The broad consensus is that there is no set timetable for No10 to clear the report within. But if intel agencies are happy, PM sign off should be a formality.
