CIA Director John Brennan apologizes for Senate spying

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The CIA was forced to apologize Thursday after admitting to spying on the Senate panel investigating its use of torture.

CIA Director John Brennan told the Senate Intelligence Committee leaders Thursday that an internal inquiry found "some employees acted in a manner inconsistent" with an agreement between the agency and the upper chamber by hacking into the computers used for the committee's investigation.

"The director is committed to correcting any shortcomings related to this matter,'' said CIA spokesman Dean Boyd, adding that Brennan would commission a special review of the inspector general's report that could lead to disciplinary action.

In March, Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., made an explosive floor speech accusing the agency of illegally hacking into the panel's computers.

On Thursday, she said the report "confirmed" her suspicions.

"Director Brennan apologized for these actions and submitted the IG report to an accountability board,'' she said. "These are positive first steps. The IG report corrects the record.''

Other members, including committee member Mark Udall, D-Colo., went further in calling for Brennan's resignation.

"Brennan needs to account for these statements,'' the Colorado senator said.

Briefing on @CIA IG rprt shows it's time for John Brennan to resign. As long as he heads #CIA, problems will persist: http://t.co/jiuubqLgzW

— Mark Udall (@MarkUdall) July 31, 2014

But Boyd said Brennan was responsible for calling for the internal review, and promised to "resolve it in a way that preserved the crucial equities of both branches."