"GCHQ is an increasingly public facing organisation particularly with regards to its role in cyber security. If it is to build the trust with the public and business necessary to be successful in this, it needs to distance itself from activities that could suggest a more nefarious role. The organisation has come a long way in recent years with regards to its openness and whilst there is still more to do, allegations such as this could undermine that progress. Thus a robust and open response to Fox News was not just desirable but essential."