AMONG the stories and rumours prompted by Edward J Snowden’s leaking of classified material — whistleblowing or treason, depending on where you stand — are suggestions that the revelations may actually lead to a policy change concerning the extent to which private companies carry out intelligence gathering and analysis in the United States.

The US government is considering whether to charge Edward Snowden with leaking classified surveillance secrets, while it defends the spy programme it says keeps America safe from terrorists.

Bank customers in the UK are getting a raw deal in terms of service compared to some of their European counterparts, according to a global report out today.