AN UNPRECEDENTED public appearance by UK spy chiefs has been labelled a “total pantomime” after it emerged that they were told of questions in advance.

A private deal was struck with the heads of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to ensure they did not face any surprises when they were grilled before an audience, sources close to Westminster’s secretive intelligence and security committee (ISC) have revealed.

The agreement followed a year of delicate negotiations and was a condition for the three spy bosses to subject themselves to public cross- examination.

The disclosure explains the apparently “soft” line of questioning during the hearing and why there were relatively few revelations. Some MPs on the committee believe the meticulous choreography and scripted questions were a reasonable price for