MI6 is co-operating with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Britain’s spy agencies will be called to give evidence about their knowledge of suspected paedophiles in the Westminster establishment, a public inquiry heard yesterday.

MI5, MI6 and GCHQ are co-operating with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and have already provided files and documents relevant to its investigation into the failure to pursue and prosecute child abusers in Whitehall and parliament.

It will be a highly unusual move for the intelligence services to present evidence at a public inquiry and a preliminary hearing was told that some material might have to be heard in secret for national security reasons.

Andrew O’Connor, QC, the inquiry counsel, said that he hoped the intelligence evidence “will be given in public hearings” but added: “It is, of