UK Parliament / Open data

Investigatory Powers Bill

Proceeding contribution from Edward Leigh (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 15 March 2016. It occurred during Debate on bills on Investigatory Powers Bill.

I am sorry I am worrying on about this issue, but my right hon. and learned Friend has been Home Secretary. Let us suppose that there is a matter of national security and acute political crisis, and a Home Secretary feels it is necessary to authorise some snooping, for want of a better word—I am sorry to use that word—on a Member of Parliament’s communications with a constituent who has raised these issues. The Home Secretary said when I intervened earlier, “Don’t worry; the judge will authorise it or review it, and the Prime Minister will consider it too.”

Judges are very responsible, but they do not really understand these acute political sensitivities. Should not somebody else, like the Speaker, have some sort of oversight to protect these very valuable communications between Members of Parliament and their constituents?

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
607 c848 
Session
2015-16
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
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