German Parliament panel urged to hear US spying claims

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office wing at the chancellery is pictured in Berlin, Germany, on Monday. German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Washington tapped Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone from the US embassy in Berlin.

Germany’s main Opposition Social Democrats (SPD) called on Monday for a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations of wiretapping by the United States’ intelligence services.

“A Bundestag committee, which could shed light on the case, is unavoidable,” SPD General Secretary Andrea Nahles told the daily Bild on Monday.

This could involve the US intelligence service whistleblower Edward Snowden being called to appear before the committee, who would be a “valuable witness,” Nahles said.

Meanwhile, the German Government said it does not see any reason to seek contact with Mr. Snowden.

“This is not a question for the Federal Government at the moment,” government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday.

Published - October 28, 2013 05:55 pm IST