Amber Rudd has today proposed changes to the new Investigatory Powers Act in response to successful legal claim brought by Tom Watson MP but Government proposals do not go far enough and only partially comply with this landmark judgment. Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, has described the proposals as “window dressing” which does not provide the robust action needed.

Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“The current legislation fails to protect people’s fundamental rights or respect the rule of law. That’s what my legal challenge proved, and I’m glad Amber Rudd is making significant concessions today. But I will be asking the court to go further, because today’s proposals from the Home Office are still flawed.

“Ministers aren’t above the law – they don’t get to pick and choose which rights violations they address and they can’t haggle with the courts to avoid properly protecting people’s freedom. All of the fundamental safeguards demanded by the court must now be implemented.”