Have The Tories Found A Way To Get A Snooper's Charter After All?

Critics of controversial plans derailed at the last minute by the Lib Dems for a so-say 'Snooper's Charter' last year claim fresh anti-terrorism legislation effectively brings them back in again.

A series of amendments to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill going through the Lords right now have been claimed to embody most of what was deemed objectionable to ill-fated Communications Data Bill, which was twice headed off at the last Parliamentary minute by opponents.

The clauses, tabled by former Met Police head Lord Blair, raise the spectre once again of telcos being forced to log all customer calls and Web use for a period of 12 months for one year and grant the Crown the power to "impose requirements or restrictions on telecommunications operators."

Many critics are singling out the extent of Blair's proposals - which comprise no less than 18 pages of last-minute amendments.

Civil libertarians, led in some cases by Blair's fellow politicians, have reacted angrily to the amendments, with Liberal Democrat peer Lord Strasburger (@LordStras) saying on Twitter, "This is a small group of security-at-all-costs peers trying to re-invent #SnoopersCharter. Must not and will not succeed."

Meanwhile campaign group the Open Rights Group have characterised the move as "an abuse of Parliamentary procedure."

A debate in the Lords is scheduled for Monday of next week, which looks to be quite a lively one.

(c) 24n.biz