Posted on 2014-07-14 | 04:13

Roger has made it clear that he will not be supporting the emergency surveillance bill which the Government hopes to rush through Parliament this week.

Said Roger: “The Government have been aware for a year that some of the existing surveillance measures were likely to be ruled invalid and this was confirmed by the European Court of Justice in April. Instead of bringing forward legislation which could be properly debated by Parliament, the Government have left it until a couple of days before Parliament ends for the summer recess to bring forward emergency legislation which has to be passed by both Houses in a ridiculously short period of time!”

“I know only too well the difficulties which the police and security services have in monitoring, tracking and apprehending individuals and groups who are intent on undermining our tolerant society by conspiring to commit acts of terrorism, such as the plot by a gang of would-be suicide bombers at a house in my constituency in 2012. However, this legislation is an attempt by the authorities to ‘bounce’ Parliament into passing a snoopers' charter which could be used to intrude into the lives of everybody in this country.”

“The police and security authorities should have the powers to search out and arrest individuals who want to destroy our society”, said Roger, “but I am not convinced that rushed emergency legislation is necessary and I will not be supporting it.”