With drills and grinders, the NSA whistleblower had to destroy their research material under the supervision of British intelligence. The harassment of the “Guardian” reported to have been ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron. The Human Rights Commissioner of the Federal Government is exceeded a “red line.”

The scandal surrounding the harassment of the “Guardian” reached Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron. He is said to have personally led to pressure on the editorial, reports of the “Independent”. In this way, more revelations about the activities of intelligence agencies in the U.S. and the UK should be prevented, the newspaper writes, citing senior government sources.

According to information from the “Independent” Prime Minister Cameron had the head of his Cabinet Office, Jeremy Heywood commissioned, the “Guardian” to contact. Government sources confirmed to the newspaper to contact. There have, however, not been a threat.

“Guardian” editor in chief Alan Rusbridger sees things differently. “It was an unprecedented encounter in the long and difficult relationship with the press and intelligence agencies,” he describes what has happened in July on a hot Saturday morning in the basement of the editorial office.

Rusbridger and his newspaper now report in detail about the harassment of the British government, which they were exposed in the Ausspähaffäre. Thus, two intelligence officials monitored on that Saturday, as two “Guardian” employees the disks and memory sticks with the explosive material by Edward Snowden also really destroyed. While the newspaper people had gone with drills and grinders to work, the agents had pictures taken

Also from the Federal Government is sharp criticism heard at the harsh actions of the British authorities against the “Guardian”. The processes described by Rusbridger had shaken him, said the Human Rights Commissioner of the Federal Government, Markus Loening (FDP), the “Berliner Zeitung”. “As the red line has been crossed.” He is worried about the state of the press and freedom of expression in the UK.

Also the way in which the authorities have detained the life partner of the investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald, Löning as unacceptable. “This is done on the basis of an anti-terror law. A connection but I can not see.”

Even the White House has distanced himself from the harassment. On the question of whether government employees would go into a media company, there to destroy hard drives, said the spokesman, Josh Earnest: “It is very difficult to imagine a scenario where this would be appropriate.”

“The government is override all the rules”

As “very unusual” means “Guardian” Chief Rusbridger the process – and as a symbolic act because: “Both sides knew very well that there are other copies outside of the UK and our coverage will continue.” He had approved the destruction of the material in order to prevent a legal dispute or even a house search. He also did not help it to deliver material to the authorities, the Snowden could put them behind bars.

“I did not come to this position,” said Rusbridger. He prefers to have the data destroyed when they returned to the courts or to provide material through which they could try to stop reporting.

He also criticized once again that the British authorities had nine hours David Miranda noted Greenwald’s partner. Officially Scotland Yard had justified the access with an anti-terrorism law. “The fact that they call it terror, they set override all the rules,” said Rusbridger.