I have received a great deal of correspondence about the Investigatory Powers Bill, which is currently passing through the House.
The agencies who keep us safe must be able to adapt to the digital age. The Investigatory Powers Bill brings together all of the tools already available to law enforcement and security agencies to obtain communications data. However, it also radically overhauls the way these powers are authorised and overseen by introducing a ‘double-lock’ for interception warrants, which will ensure that they can only come into force once they have been authorised by both the Home Secretary and an independent judge.
I understand the Bill also improves the privacy safeguards in place for sensitive professions, such as lawyers and journalists, and the Government has made clear it will continue to work closely with the security industry to develop plans for safely and responsibly retaining internet connection records. In addition to these safeguards, the Bill will also see the creation of an Investigatory Powers Commissioner, who will oversee these powers and ensure that they are not being taken advantage of. As both a former journalist and barrister, I fully appreciate the importance of these protections.
I understand why some have reservations about the Bill, however, the powers that this legislation will focus on have been the subject of three independent reviews over the last two years. Please be assured that these reviews have been crucial in developing the proposals of this Bill, and the revisions which have been made since it was first drafted have relied heavily on the recommendations made by the Joint Committee, Intelligence and Security Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee. The Bill will also be subject to full parliamentary scrutiny, and will follow the same legislative process as any other new law.
As you may know, the second reading of the Bill was passed by Parliament on Tuesday 15 March by 281 votes to 15, with both Labour and the SNP abstaining. You can read through the debate by clicking here.