British ambassador Simon McDonald hauled in by German government over spy claims Britain and Germany were at odds last night over claims that UK spies run an eavesdropping centre from the roof of the British Embassy in Berlin. Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle summoned the British ambassador to hear a formal protest about the snooping network allegedly operated by the Government Communications Headquarters. The German Foreign Office said it had warned Simon McDonald that using a diplomatic mission to tap communications would violate international law. Leaked US National Security Agency documents suggest the UK could be using high-tech equipment on the embassy roof to gather economic and political intelligence, according to The Independent newspaper. Aerial photos show a white tent-like structure thought to have been in place since the embassy was opened in 2000. Equipment in it "would be capable of intercepting mobile phone calls, wi-fi data and long-distance communications across the German capital," it is alleged. Germany said it had asked Mr McDonald to respond to the reports, based on documents leaked by the American whistleblower Edward Snowden. Downing Street insisted the ambassador had been "invited" to attend a meeting, but the German Foreign Office said on Twitter that he had been "called in," a less friendly form of words in diplomatic circles. Spying by supposed allies is a sensitive issue in Germany after revelations that the US had listened to mobile phone calls made by Chancellor Angela Merkel since 2002. A spokesman for David Cameron said the Prime Minister had not spoken to Mrs Merkel about the spying allegations, but insisted their relationship was "excellent." The spokesman declined to comment on security issues, but said Britain's intelligence services operated under a "strong and clear legal framework." The allegations could cause embarrassment to Mr Cameron, who has strongly defended the UK's intelligence agencies in the wake of the Snowden revelations. Last month Mr Cameron condemned "lah-dih-dah, airy-fairy" criticism of the British and American intelligence services.