Tory government challenged over emergency surveillance laws
The Tory government is facing a legal challenge in the High Court from two MPs challenging the controversial emergency surveillance laws.
Labour MP, Tom Watson and Tory MP David Davis believe the emergency proposals are a breach of human rights and civil liberties. The Tories have long argued that emergency surveillance into people’s private communications and Internet use is needed to protect national security. They argue that the country is not safe from criminal activity and terrorism and that these proposals will help keep people safe.
But long time civil liberties champion David Davis and Labour counterpart Tom Watson both believe that the proposed laws are far too rushed and ill thought out. Civil liberties campaigners and much of the British general public, who argue that the legislation is a fundamental intrusion into their privacy, echo the words of Watson and Davis.
Emma Norton, a legal officer for Liberty, believes that “people need to understand just how personal this information is that will be taken and retained and what an intimate portrait of their lives it will create.
“There was very little evidence to suggest that by giving police even greater banks of information about people who they don't even suspect of committing crimes it is going to make their jobs - it isn't.”
Downing Street said that the proposals will "address gaps" in intelligence gathering that are putting "lives at risk". Home secretary Theresa May attempted to push through similar legislation in 2012, dubbed the “snooper’s charter” but the Liberal Democrats, the Tories then coalition partners, thwarted her attempts and blocked the proposals.
This time, with no coalition partners holding them back, the Tories have the wind in their sails and will go ahead with legislation that will stir up controversy across the UK.
LM/SKL
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