THERE are critical flaws in the Government's system of security-vetted barristers who represent terror suspects in secret court hearings, MPs said.

The all-party Constitutional Affairs Select Committee called on ministers to review the way so-called "special advocates" operate.

Special advocates are lawyers appointed by a Government minister to examine classified, or "closed", documents from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ on behalf of terror suspects.

But the lawyers are not allowed to speak with the suspect or their solicitor after looking at the top secret papers.

The MPs expressed concern that flaws in the system will be duplicated when special advocates begin representing suspects who are under the controversial new "control orders".

They also said ministers should reform the system so the lawyers can communicate with the suspects, providing it does not compromise national security.

Committee chairman Alan Beith said: "The special advocate system lacks the basic features that make for a fair trial.

"To deprive someone of their liberty without telling them the charge or the evidence is completely foreign to our system of justice.

"If security considerations require the use of an alternative system - and I would have preferred an investigating judge rather than special advocates - then the system must allow some communication between the special advocates and their clients."