Anti-terror laws not 'fit for purpose': Tories step up bid for new powers to monitor net
CONSERVATIVES yesterday stepped up calls for the security services to get new powers to monitor internet accounts after a former spy chief said anti-terror laws are “no longer fit for purpose”.
Former MI5 chief Lord Evans of Weardale said it was “much harder” than a decade ago for security services to track terrorists and other criminals because they now communicate through the internet.
“The ability of the police and security agencies to do this important work of protecting our society and its vulnerable people is under threat from changing technology,” said Lord Evans.
“We expect them today not just to follow up a crime or terrorist attack and identify the perpetrators but rather to do all they can to stop the attack or crime from taking place at all.
“They can only do this if they have the tools to do so and the tools at their disposal are no longer fit for purpose.”
The ability of the police and security agencies to do this important work of protecting our society and its vulnerable people is under threat from changing technology
The Tories have vowed if re-elected to require internet service providers to keep details of everyone’s use of sites for a year.
If approved by a senior minister, it would mean records could be accessed to identify networks of people emailing and contacting each other.
The authorities would not see the content of messages but could pinpoint terror cells of people working together.
But the Lib Dems have blocked the change and party leader Nick Clegg yesterday SUNDAY restated his opposition to the “snoopers’ charter”.
Conservative Communities Secretary Eric Pickles insisted the proposals were “very modest and I can’t really understand why people are against it.”
Further pressure for change came from Tory MP and former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, chairman of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee which oversees MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.
His committee will shortly publish a blueprint for radical reform to help security services keep pace with technology.
Sir Malcolm said the agencies should be able to access terror suspects’ mobile phone records, emails and internet messages, if authorised by a senior Cabinet minister.
