The surveillance bill is as big a threat to state security as to personal liberty | Simon Jenkins

Nothing digital is secure, so the massive proposed extension of state powers in the 'snooper's charter' could backfire

The surveillance bill has had a rough passage so far. Today the spooks were under pressure from left and right. Libertarians, nerds and the big computer firms were up in arms. The sceptred isle was up against the Spectred isle. So MI6 sent for Bond.

The past week has seen the most bizarre spinning. The BBC and the Times suddenly "managed to secure" exclusive stories about the wonderful world of secret intelligence, shamelessly pegged to the premiere of the film. The Times offered a gushing prospectus of work inside GCHQ. The BBC's Frank Gardner sat, obsequious, in a darkened room and asked faceless voices what it was like being "the real James Bond". It was like a spoof promotion video for the Stasi.