Principled Spying: The Ethics of Secret Intelligence Hardcover – Illustrated, 2 April 2018

David Omand is a Visiting Professor in the War Studies Department, King's College London and served for 7 years on the UK Joint Intelligence Committee. Mark Phythian is is Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester. This is a pertinent, clearly written and thought provoking look at the factors to be taken into consideration when setting the "ground rules" for the secret intelligence, including limits on what agents should be able to do and the information they can obtain. I felt that it really draws out the balance to be struck between what's necessary to protect citizens and what's necessary to protect democracy and I came away rethinking some of my opinions on the topic.

I have read and re-read this book several times as it forms the backbone of my research into the subject. I was greatly reassured when I read it that there was a strong ethical understanding that underlied the work of the british intelligence agencies. Since first reading it I have discovered some cracks under the carpet but I still believe this, in essence? to be fundamentally true. That was a message that needed getting across and I was persuaded. So I am greatful.

This is an extremely well-written and engaging book that talks about the ethics behind spying - most pertinently, the balance that needs to be struck between allowing people to exercise their right of free speech, etc, and being able to monitor them (and worse) in order to ensure that everyone can be kept safe, both from home nationals and foreign nationals. It’s particularly relevant in the age of digital data, in which the ability to communicate using encrypted channels is no longer the preserve of the few, but if anybody who uses popular messaging apps. The author obviously has a great deal of experience in this field, and the book is a really fascinating treatise on the challenges facing the security services. Definitely recommended for anybody with an interest in this subject.

This is a well written hardback book. I must admit to not being sure what to expect was this a spy book or a book on democracy? It actually turns out to be both and is such a good read for anyone who wishes to understand how the intelligence services fit in with the society we have here in the uk. The “spying game” is a fine balance between respecting our democracy and protecting the citizens of this (and any to that matter) country. The first duty of government is to protect and defend the citizens who elected it. This book considers this problem of how the intelligence services work, how much they tell the public and how much they don’t. It’s fascinating. Very much 5 stars.

Very well written and interesting book about the factors that have to be taken into consideration when setting the "ground rules" for the secret intelligence. What are the limits to what they should be able to do and the information they can obtain and methods used. Relevant and engaging