Amber
Rudd has today proposed changes to the new Investigatory Powers Act in response
to successful legal claim brought by Tom Watson MP but Government proposals do not
go far enough and only partially comply with this landmark judgment. Martha
Spurrier, Director of Liberty, has described the proposals as “window dressing”
which does not provide the robust action needed.
Tom
Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party,
said:
“The
current legislation fails to protect people’s fundamental rights or respect the
rule of law. That’s what my legal challenge proved, and I’m glad Amber Rudd is
making significant concessions today. But I will be asking the court to go further,
because today’s proposals from the Home Office are still flawed.
“Ministers
aren’t above the law – they don’t get to pick and choose which rights
violations they address and they can’t haggle with the courts to avoid properly
protecting people’s freedom. All of the fundamental safeguards demanded by the
court must now be implemented.”
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