'Clear' case for anti-terrorist powers used to detain David Miranda, says human rights committee Police later revealed Mr Miranda had been carrying 58,000 highly classified British documents which would put British agents" lives at risk if they fell into the wrong hands. Earlier this week Andrew Parker, director general of MI5, said Mr Snowden's leaks were a "gift" to terrorists, while the former head of GCHO, Sir David Omand, said the disclosures were the most "catastrophic loss to British intelligence ever." He described them as more damaging than the actions of the Cambridge spy ring in the Cold War. Dr Hywel Francis MP, the JCHR chairman, said: "Given the current nature of the threat from international terrorism, we accept that the Government has made out the case for having an unusual power to stop, question and search travellers without suspicion. However, recent events have brought to the world's attention how extraordinarily broad those powers are. They include the power to detain somebody, to take their mobile phone and laptop and download all the information on it, and to take biometric samples, all without reasonable suspicion. Most people would be shocked to know that the police have such extensive powers which could be exercised in relation to anyone, whether suspicious or not. He added: "We make the simple recommendation that the more intrusive powers should only be available where the police have formed a reasonable suspicion that the traveller may be somebody who is involved in terrorism. I look forward to the Government responding to public concern about the scope of these powers by agreeing to the amendments that we propose. The JCHR report said: "In our view, a statutory power to stop, question and search travellers at ports and airports, without reasonable suspicion, is not inherently incompatible with the right to liberty ... or the right to respect for private life." It added that the Government had "clearly made out a case for a without suspicion power." Current measures going through Parliament to amend the powers should be enhanced, said the report. It would mean a person could only be detained without reasonable suspicion for an hour, it added. The JCHR also said there needed to be new safeguards to protect information held by lawyers, journalists or parliamentarians. The proposals will be discussed as the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill goes through Parliament. David Anderson, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has previously warned the powers, under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, are too broad - particularly in relation to the access given to electronic files.