washington -- Key lawmakers criticized CIA Director Michael V. Hayden's decision to launch an investigation of the spy agency's inspector general, saying Friday that the move threatens the independence of the official who serves by statute as the agency's watchdog.
The criticism came from Democratic and Republican members of congressional intelligence committees, who voiced concern that Hayden might be seeking to restrain an investigator who had admonished high-ranking CIA officials and was poised to issue new reports on the agency's interrogation and detention programs.
"This is a highly inappropriate step, and I am concerned that it could jeopardize the independence of the inspector general's office," Senate Intelligence Committee member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a letter to Director of National Intelligence J. Michael McConnell.
Wyden urged McConnell, who oversees the CIA and other spy agencies, "to instruct Director Hayden to cease his inquiry."
The CIA rejected suggestions that the investigation was meant to curb the inspector general's autonomy.
"This is a straightforward management review, nothing more," said CIA spokesman George Little.
"It's ridiculous to suggest that this is in any way an attack on the concept of a vigorous system of inspection and investigation."
The congressional statements were in response to the disclosure that Hayden had ordered an internal investigation of the office of John L. Helgerson, who has served as inspector general at the CIA since 2002. Current and former intelligence officials described the inquiry as unprecedented.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) said that laws establishing the position of inspector general were designed to keep it independent from outside influence or interference that could undermine its investigative function.
"It is this independence that Congress established and will very aggressively preserve," Reyes said, describing Hayden's probe as "troubling."
The investigation is being led by Robert Deitz, a lawyer with long-standing ties to Hayden who was brought into the agency to serve as a senior counselor to the director.
Deitz is expected to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee next week to explain the parameters of the inquiry, which was first reported Thursday by the Los Angeles Times on its website.
