May: 'Snooper's charter essential' to counter terror threat

[dutchman]

Theresa May has said the failed so-called 'snooper's charter' would be revived in the wake of the Woolwich attack as she claimed the bill was “essential” to assist security services in countering the terror threat.



The Home Secretary appeared to be gearing up for a fight with Liberal Democrats over the controversial communications bill that was blocked earlier this month by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The new laws would give police and security services access to records of individuals' internet use.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show this morning Mrs May said enforcement agencies should be given the "tools they need" to track down terrorists before they can launch attacks.

She also claimed that "thousands" of people in Britain are potentially at risk of being radicalised by extremists.

Also speaking on the programme the Labour former Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was "absolutely passionately" a supporter of reforms and suggested it was a resigning issue for Theresa May if she could not get the changes into law by 2015.

Asked whether she would quit over the matter, Mrs May told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I have made my view very clear. We are now working through across the government what action we can take but I'm clear, the law enforcement agencies, the intelligence agencies need access to communications data and that is essential to them doing their job."

The Home Secretary said there was a reference to the plans in the Queen's Speech.

She added: "I have always been clear that access to communications data is essential for law enforcement agencies and the intelligence agencies.

"There is a reducing capability in relation to access to communications data."

Mr Johnson told the programme the need for the law change was not "knee jerk".

"I am absolutely with the Home Secretary because I feel very, very absolutely confident that she will be fighting for this.

"We need to get this on the statute book before the next general election and I think it is absolutely crucial, indeed I think it is a resignation issue for a Home Secretary if the Cabinet do not support her in this central part of what the security services do."

Mrs May's comments came as the Prime Minister was criticised for flying to Ibiza for a week-long family amid a huge security operation following the attack in Woolwich.

[rebbonk]

Absolute rot!

May is using this as an excuse to erode yet more of our freedoms. The woman is an abomination