The privacy and liberties of ordinary people have been undermined by the disproportionate use of surveillance powers by town halls, according to the Conservative Parliamentary spokesman for Norwich South.Antony Little, who is also Tory group leader at City Hall said that a huge amount of taxpayers’ money was being wasted on bankrolling an army of “town hall spies”.
Councils are currently able to spy on the public using the anti-terror law of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
Cllr Little said: “Labour is claiming that they are considering new guidance, but in reality they are planning to extend, not cut back, the use of town hall surveillance.
“Under Conservative plans councils will have to obtain the approval of magistrates before any surveillance and elected councillors would become directly responsible for authorising officials to use these powers.
“Conservatives will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens from Labour’s growing surveillance state and change the law to end this abuse of state powers.”
Posted by antonylittle 