25 Feb 2014

Hager suspects US provides spy funds

10:31 am on 25 February 2014

Investigative journalist Nicky Hager says the refusal by the Government's spy agencies to tell MPs whether they receive funding from other members of the Five Eyes network, would suggest they have something to hide.

The network is made up of Australia, Britain, the United States, Canada and New Zealand.

During questioning by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, the Government Communications Security Bureau and the Security Intelligence Service would not say whether they receive any funding from the other governments in the network.

Nicky Hager says he does not think the information is being withheld for security reasons.

"I think it's being withheld because it's embarrassing. It's very controversial. It would surprise New Zealanders to know that we are doing operations which the United States is prepared to pay for because it is operations they want done for them."