New Surveillance Bill 'like adding extra storeys to a burning building'

“It beggars belief that the government is blundering on with its snooping power-grab completely disregarding the concerns being raised from all sides.” – Kate Allen

Responding to the surprise publication of the government’s Investigatory Powers Bill today, Kate Allen Amnesty International UK’s Director, said:

“It beggars belief that the government is blundering on with its snooping power-grab completely disregarding the concerns being raised from all sides including no fewer than three of its own parliamentary committees, every privacy group in the country, the UN and tech firms like Apple.

“It’s like adding extra storeys to a burning building.

“Even the USA is rolling back its surveillance systems because of concerns over people’s right to privacy.

“These surveillance measures go too far, too fast. Basic protections are simply not there, including proper independent judicial oversight - the very least required.

“By rushing the supposed 'redraft' of this huge and complex Bill through an impossibly short timetable, the government is showing contempt for parliament - every one of the three committees of parliamentarians who have considered their plans told them they needed serious work.

“This unseemly haste to push on without then giving the Bill due time suggests a complete disregard for those consulted and the unanimous concerns raised.”

A letter published in The Telegraph today, criticises the speed with which the proposals are being rushed through parliament and calls for more extensive debate over the measures. The letter is signed by politicians from all the political parties, experts from the legal profession, technical experts and the heads of all major privacy organisations. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/12178545/Rushing-the-Investigatory-Powers-Bill-through-Parliament-is-not-in-Britains-interest.html

Last year it was revealed that GCHQ had been spying on Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/surveillance-uk-government-spied-on-amnesty-international