Now who on earth would want to do this?

[harleyquinn]

Because it really doesn't jepordize our relationships because all of these governments (the US included) spy on each other. That's how the CIA operates, that's how we get our intellegence is from spying. We spy on them, they spy on us. That's why I chuckle when spies are found here and the government act horrified, knowing full well that they have their own spies and bugs in other coutries. If this type of activity jepordized relationships, no nations would be talking to each other because they're all doing it. It basically blows over within a few weeks if that.
For example, we had that agent who turned out to be a spy for Russia here, but our relationship with Russia seems unscathed from it (not that it's a huge trusting eachother thing either).
As for the UK, up until 9/11, we weren't always buddy buddy, so the bugs were probably placed before then.

[shadowhound]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the media trying to get info before anyone else...