Clegg demands major rethink over ‘snoopers’ charter’ that could monitor phone records and internet use


James Slack writes in the Daily Mail:

Nick Clegg has called for a major rethink of plans to monitor people’s phone records and internet use

The Deputy Prime Minister’s intervention, which threatens a Coalition split, came after a parliamentary committee expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the so-called snoopers’ charter.

MPs and peers accused ministers of using ‘fanciful and misleading’ figures to back up its proposals to give police and security services sweeping powers to access communications data.

They said the proposed laws, which would force internet and phone firms to store masses of information about emails, phone calls and internet clicks, go much further than is necessary and amount to overkill.

Liberal Democrats said that, in the wake of the criticisms, the government’s draft communications bill must be ripped up.

‘Their report makes a number of serious criticisms – not least on scope; proportionality; cost; checks and balances; and the need for much wider consultation,’ said party leader Mr Clegg. ‘It is for those reasons that I believe the Coalition Government needs to have a fundamental rethink.

Julian Huppert MP sat on the committee – he gives his views on the Independent web site. Paul Bernal has blogged his analysis of the report here. The report itself is here.