Spy laws blasted by human rights campaigners have stopped terror plots with just ‘hours’ to spare, report reveals

SPY LAWS blasted by human rights campaigners have stopped terror plots with just “hours” to spare - and saved the lives of British hostages, it emerged today.

A bombshell report gave astonishing detail about the threats facing the UK and the work of the intelligence agencies to stamp them out.

And David Anderson QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, insisted the so-called “bulk” spy powers enabling spooks to hack into suspects’ phones and PCs were vital in the fight against terrorism and serious crime.

His review was demanded by Labour before it agrees to back Theresa May’s new Investigatory Powers Act – which needs to make the statute book by the end of the year.

In one ‘case study’ published in the report, Mr Anderson revealed police were able to act on intelligence seized from phone records by GCHQ last year to thwart a terror attack “in the final hours” before it was carried out.

Spooks had searched for “potential new phones” used by suspects known to have been involved in plotting terror attacks, found a new number and on analysing the content of certain communications realised a “cell had almost completed the final stages of a terrorist attack”.

He separately revealed web chat intercepted by spooks had allowed the ex-PM David Cameron to green light a rescue raid to save Brits taken captive in Afghanistan.

Mr Anderson said: “Analysis of the content of the communications of the kidnappers, obtained through bulk interception, indicated that the hostages’ lives were in imminent danger.

“The Prime Minister authorised a rescue attempt by UK military forces. The hostages were subsequently successfully rescued.”

It is thought the case relates to the rescue of Helen Johnston – one of four aid workers seized in 2012.

The powers have also tracked down child abusers and organised crime gangs trafficking cocaine.

The QC said: “The bulk powers play an important part in identifying, understanding and averting threats in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and further afield.”

Current rules governing the harvesting and collection of data are due to expire at the end of the year. Labour has yet to declare its support for the new IP legislation.

The powers allow spooks to harvest and retain huge amounts of data on who a suspect is contacting, the content of the message, their internet browsing history and to even launch cyber-attacks on overseas chatrooms to thwart them.

Mr Anderson admitted there had to be “compelling” reasons for intelligence agencies to monitor suspects. But he said critics worried about privacy concerns were simply not aware of the threats posed to Britain and there was no alternative.

He said each successful operation triggered by an “intrusion” by the intelligence agencies “change lives for the better”.

The review team spoke to 85 intelligence officials and looked at 60 case studies.

In a statement, Theresa May said: “Mr Anderson’s report demonstrates how bulk powers are of crucial importance to our security and intelligence agencies.

“These powers often provide the only means by which our agencies are able to protect the British public from the most serious threats we face.”

Campaign group Liberty branded the review a failure. Policy director Bella Sankey said: “Liberty called for an impartial, independent and expert inquiry into these intrusive powers.

“Yet sadly this rushed review failed on all three counts.”