THE UK government is locked in a serious and bitter dispute with the parliamentary body set up to monitor MI5 (UK Security Service) and MI6 (UK Secret Service) over the guidelines covering the torture and abuse of detainees held abroad, the Guardian has learned.

The dispute, compounded by a row about plans for more effective overall scrutiny of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (UK government's listening station), has added significance since it has been sparked by a group of senior MPs and peers handpicked by the prime minister.

In a surprise move, the government is refusing to publish criticisms of new guidelines on interrogating prisoners, notably terror suspects, drawn up by the intelligence and security committee, the ISC.

A spokesman said the government welcomed what he called the “critical contribution” of the committee in reviewing the guidance. He described it as “comprehensive and insightful”, but it had “raised a number of issues that need further consideration”.

The committee, chaired by the former Foreign Office minister Kim Howells, said its review of the guidance on handling detainees was sent to Gordon Brown on 5 March but publication was a “matter for the prime minister”.

The ISC has been under fire for being too subservient to the security and intelligence agencies and to the prime minister, who chooses its members and has a veto over what the committee can publish.

However, the Guardian has learned that MPs and peers on the committee — perhaps stung by recent criticism — have expressed serious concern to Gordon Brown about the lack of clarity and “ambiguities” in the guidance for MI5 and MI6 officers operating abroad.

The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Britain had to continue to work with foreign agencies in the fight against terrorism, even if they do not share UK standards on human rights.

— The Guardian, London