Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the publication of the Investigatory Powers Bill, said:

“Labour has taken a responsible and constructive approach to working with the Government on this important legislation and we will continue to do so. However, it has major implications for privacy and how we are governed and policed. We will therefore take time to get this legislation right and will not be rushed into reaching our judgement on it.

“It is clear that the Government has made a number of changes to their original proposals. We welcome that and the stronger safeguards they have incorporated into the Bill.

“Where I have potential disagreement with the Home Secretary is over the criteria for the use of the most intrusive powers. I have consistently made clear that I believe those powers should only be used in connection with the investigation of the most serious crime or to protect people in life-threatening situations. However, instead of tightening the criteria, this Bill appears to lower the threshold for their use and allow the authorities to access them in a much broader range of circumstances. This raises serious questions. To date, the Government has not adequately justified this significant extension of powers and we will be pressing them to do so.

“Another area of particular concern is the widening of access to Internet Connection Records to include information about websites accessed beyond those related to communications services and illegal material. Parliament will need to consider this and whether the powers in connection with their collection and use are proportionate and justified.

“Unless these issues are resolved satisfactorily they could erode public trust rather than strengthen it and I will continue to challenge the Government on this important point.”