UK ‘settles rendition case’ with former Libyan dissident – BBC News

Posted May 10th, 2018 in human rights, intelligence services, news, rendition, torture by sally

‘The UK government has reached a settlement with former Libyan dissident Abdul Hakim Belhaj over a long-running rendition case, the BBC understands.’

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BBC News, 9th May 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Security services ‘to get more power to stop attacks’ – BBC News

Posted April 24th, 2018 in intelligence services, news, police, reports, terrorism by sally

‘Police and security services are to get more powers and resources to stop terror attacks at an earlier stage, according to the Sunday Times.’

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BBC News, 22nd April 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Once secret guidance on MI5’s use of agents who engage in crime published by Theresa May – The Independent

Posted March 2nd, 2018 in intelligence services, news by tracey

‘Theresa May has published a previously secret direction relating to MI5’s use of agents who participate in crime. The Prime Minister confirmed that the area of the Security Service’s work was kept under review by a watchdog.’

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The Independent, 1st March

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Tribunal rules against total secrecy over UK drone strikes – The Guardian

‘The government’s power to block requests for information on national security grounds has been significantly curtailed by a tribunal ruling over targeted killings of British jihadists abroad.’

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The Guardian, 4th January 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cyril Smith inquiry: PM’s pledge on ex-Rochdale MP’s documents – BBC News

‘Prime Minister Theresa May has made assurances documents relating to the late Cyril Smith will not be withheld.’

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BBC News, 21st November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MI5 and police cleared of any liability over terror attacks in UK – The Guardian

Posted November 20th, 2017 in inquiries, intelligence services, news, police, terrorism by tracey

‘Official reviews will clear MI5 and the police of making serious mistakes that allowed terrorists to strike Britain in four attacks this year, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 19th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court to hear challenge to GCHQ bulk hacking of phones and computers – The Guardian

‘A challenge to GCHQ’s use of non-specific warrants to authorise the bulk hacking of smartphones, computers and networks in the UK is starting at the court of appeal.
The case, brought by the campaign group Privacy International (PI), is the latest twist in a protracted battle about both the legality of bulk surveillance and the primacy of civil courts over an intelligence tribunal that operates partly in secret.’

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The Guardian, 5th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK surveillance and spying watchdog begins work – The Guardian

Posted September 1st, 2017 in intelligence services, investigatory powers, news, warrants by sally

‘An expanded watchdog charged with regulating the intelligence services and surveillance by state agencies has officially begun work.’

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The Guardian, 1st September 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ex-MI5 chief warns against crackdown on encrypted messaging apps – The Guardian

Posted August 11th, 2017 in encryption, intelligence services, internet, news by tracey

‘A former head of MI5 has spoken out against curtailing use of encryption in messaging apps despite warning that Islamist terrorism will remain a threat for up to another 30 years.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK’s refusal to reveal legal advice on drone killings faces challenge – The Guardian

‘Campaigners appeal against ruling that government can keep advice secret because it relates to security agencies.’

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The Guardian, 20th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU judges may be asked to rule on legality of UK surveillance powers – The Guardian

‘EU judges may be asked to decide whether the intelligence services’ bulk collection of email data in order to prevent terrorist attacks is legal.’

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The Guardian, 5th June 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

May: I’ll rip up human rights laws that impede new terror legislation – The Guardian

‘Theresa May has declared she is prepared to rip up human rights laws to impose new restrictions on terror suspects, as she sought to gain control over the security agenda just 36 hours before the polls open.’

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The Guardian, 6th June 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

No ‘judicial consent’ needed for MI5 to quiz ‘ward of court’ teens, judge rules – Daily Telegraph

‘MI5 agents and anti-terror police have been given the go-ahead to question teenagers placed under the control of family court judges as a result of radicalisation fears.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th May 2017

Source; www.telegraph.co.uk

Baroness Shields’ speech at the National Security Agency – Home Offcie

Posted April 24th, 2017 in intelligence services, internet, news, parliament, sex discrimination, women by tracey

‘Delivered to the fifth Annual Intelligence Community (IC) Women’s Summit.’

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Home Office, 21st April 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Extremism in prisons to be tackled by specialist task force – BBC News

‘A specialist team of counter-terrorism experts aimed at tackling extremism in prisons is being launched on Monday.’

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BBC News, 2nd April 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

WhatsApp must be accessible to authorities, says Amber Rudd – The Guardian

‘Amber Rudd has called for the police and intelligence agencies to be given access to WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging services to thwart future terror attacks, prompting opposition politicians and civil liberties groups to say her demand was unrealistic and disproportionate.’

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The Guardian, 26th March 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Whistleblowers endangered in digital age, says lawyers’ report – The Guardian

‘Whistleblowers need better legal protection because they are far easier to identify in the digital era and successive laws have undermined their status, according to a report by media lawyers.’

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The Guardian, 22nd February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Libyan wins right to sue ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw – BBC News

‘Ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw faces being sued over allegations of abduction and torture brought by a former Libyan dissident.’

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BBC News, 17th January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

EU’s highest court delivers blow to UK snooper’s charter – The Guardian

‘“General and indiscriminate retention” of emails and electronic communications by governments is illegal, the EU’s highest court has ruled, in a judgment that could trigger challenges against the UK’s new Investigatory Powers Act – the so-called snooper’s charter.’

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The Guardian, 21st December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The ‘snooper’s charter’ is a threat to academic freedom – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2016 in intelligence services, internet, investigatory powers, news, universities by sally

‘Increasing online surveillance has serious implications for researchers and study participants. Academics need to be more careful than ever.’

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The Guardian, 1st December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk