MI5 boss Andrew Parker backs new anti-terror powers to monitor communications

The head of MI5 has warned that the level of terrorist plotting against Britain is at its highest for nearly four decades as he backed new powers to monitor communications.

Andrew Parker said the internet and new technologies were posing new challenges to his agency and its ability to counter threats.

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme MI5 was not interested in "browsing through the private lives" of the general public and it should work within a "transparent" legal framework.

Mr Parker also played down fears about extremists entering Europe among the stream of refugees from Syria, saying that was not a main focus efforts to protect the UK.