David Cameron today defend the work of British spy agencies as he insisted it was legitimate for countries to snoop on each other to prevent terror atrocities.

The Prime Minister stressed that intelligence organisations do ‘vital’ work in the wake of the row over revelations that the US tapped the mobile phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

And he indicated that his own phone had not been targeted the White House, as he took a swipe at ‘lah-di-dah, airy-fairy’ newspapers like the Guardian for releasing details of the work of the US security services(...)

There were fears the revelation would scupper a lucrative trade deal between the USA and EU, as France and Germany demanded urgent talks with US President Barack Obama to restore trans-Atlantic trust.

In a passionate defence of the security services, Mr Cameron said it was right the British spies did what was necessary to keep the nation safe.

He said: 'They actually help to keep people safe in other European countries too because we share so much intelligence and information with our EU partners.

'So the work they do is vital, they will always have my support and they are properly scrutinised and run under the rule of law.'