UK to set up new security council

Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Parliament on Tuesday Britain will set up a new National Security Council to send out “a clear message” of vigilance. Brown said the new group would regularly publish a national security strategy, setting out potential threats. The group would guarantee “at all times we will be vigilant and we will never yield,” he said.

Downing Street said the council, to be chaired by Brown, would deal with national security and related international relations matters. The panel, comprised of key ministers, will replace a number of existing Cabinet committees which currently deal with terrorism and security issues. Britain’s defense chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and the heads of the intelligence services would also attend.