It is crucial that there is effective judicial oversight of the security services’ access to encrypted messages – Abbott

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, speaking in response
to the controversy over encrypted messages in the wake of the terrorist attack
at Westminster, said:

“Labour
opposes an open access trawl of all messaging. Good counter-terrorism measures
are nearly always intelligence led.

“In the cases
of suspects or perpetrators of serious crime or terrorism, it is crucial that
there is effective judicial oversight of the security services’ access to
encrypted messages.

“Amber Rudd
will be keen to set out exactly how the Government will ensure that law-abiding
citizens’ privacy is not breached.

“Fighting
terrorism is a serious business, and should not be used for political
grandstanding.”