UK surveillance laws reformed in new Investigatory Powers Act – OUT-LAW.com
‘UK surveillance laws have been updated with the enactment of the new Investigatory Powers Act.’
OUT-LAW.com, 30th November 2016
Source: www.out-law.com
Category: intelligence services
Investigatory Powers Bill receives Royal Assent – Home Office
‘A landmark bill which sets out and governs the powers available to the police, security and intelligence agencies to gather and access electronic communications has received Royal Assent.’
Home Office, 29th November 2016
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Investigatory Powers Bill officially passes into law, giving Britain the ‘most extreme spying powers ever se en’ – The Independent
‘Britain’s intelligence services have officially been given the “most extreme spying powers ever seen”. The Investigatory Powers Act has now been given royal assent, meaning that those surveillance rules will pass into law. The bill was officially unveiled a year ago and passed through the House of Lords earlier this month, but the act of being signed off means that those powers now go into effect.’
The Independent, 29th November 2016
Source: www.independent.co.uk
UK government right to refuse release of secret documents – high court – The Guardian
‘The government can keep secret “super-sensitive” documents from Britain’s spy agencies that might shed light on the mystery death of a fugitive Russian, the high court has ruled.’
The Guardian, 23rd November 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Parliament notified of Europol opt-in intention – Home Office
‘Explanatory memorandum on intention to exercise right to opt into revised Europol framework published.’
Home Office, 14th November 2016
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Counter-terrorism overseas: Adebolajo report makes uncomfortable reading for MI6 – Marina Wheeler QC – UK Human Rights Blog
‘Oversight of the Intelligence Services is a matter of enormous public importance, as counter-terrorism powers are enhanced to combat a pernicious and persistent threat. A recent Report by the Intelligence Services Commissioner, Sir Mark Waller, assisted by Oliver Sanders of these Chambers, dispels some misconceptions about contact between the intelligence services and Michael Adebolajo, one of 2 men convicted of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby[1]. It also shines a light on how HMG applies its policy on the treatment of detainees held overseas – in Adebolajo’s case, by a Kenyan partner counter-terrorism unit in 2010. Not all of the Report’s findings make comfortable reading for the Intelligence Services.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 14th November 2016
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
CPS decision in Abdel Hakim Belhaj rendition case faces legal challenge – The Guardian
‘The decision by the director of public prosecutions not to charge a former MI6 official for the 2004 abduction and rendition of a Libyan dissident, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, is to be challenged in court.’
The Guardian, 1st November 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
UK security agencies unlawfully collected data for 17 years, court rules – The Guardian
‘British security agencies have secretly and unlawfully collected massive volumes of confidential personal data, including financial information, on citizens for more than a decade, senior judges have ruled.’
The Guardian, 17th October 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Man who rejected MI5 convicted of terror charge after semi-secret trial – The Guardian
‘A Somali-born man who spurned MI5 efforts to recruit him as an informant has been found guilty – following a partially secret trial – of preparing to join Islamic State fighters in Syria.’
The Guardian, 13th October 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
MI6 rebuked over handling of Lee Rigby killer’s Kenya mistreatment claims – The Guardian
‘The security services were guilty of “serious failings” in their response to allegations by one of Fusilier Lee Rigby’s killers, Michael Adebolajo, that he was mistreated by Kenyan counter-terrorism units, a watchdog has found.’
The Guardian, 15th September 2016
Source: www.guaridan.co.uk
Rendition victims challenge decision not to prosecute MI6 officer – The Guardian
‘Lawyers representing a Libyan husband and wife who were kidnapped and flown to one of Muammar Gaddafi’s prisons are seeking to overturn a decision that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute a former MI6 officer for his alleged role.’
The Guardian, 11th September 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Review finds ‘proven’ or ‘distinct’ operational case for bulk surveillance powers – OUT-LAW.com
‘There is a “proven operational case” for most of the bulk surveillance powers the UK government wishes to provide UK intelligence agencies in the proposed new Investigatory Powers Bill, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.’
OUT-LAW.com, 22nd August 2016
Source: www.out-law.com
Rights group challenges FoI refusal in Libyan rendition case – The Guardian
‘A human rights group has challenged the government’s refusal to disclose whether ministers or Downing Street officials were involved in a decision not to prosecute anyone over an espionage operation to kidnap two Libyan dissidents.’
The Guardian, 21st August 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Investigatory Powers Bill: Theresa May-led legislation could be killed by ruling from European Court, privacy campaigners claim – The Independent
‘A European Court of Justice ruling could deal a “serious blow” to Theresa May’s most prized piece of legislation, campaigners have said.’
The Independent, 19th July 2016
Source; www.independent.co.uk
Snooper’s charter could endanger journalists and sources, peers warn – The Guardian
‘Peers have issued a serious warning that the government’s proposed “snooper’s charter” law could endanger journalists and their sources.’
The Guardian, 12th July 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Chilcot inquiry must restore trust in government, says top lawyer – The Guardian
‘One of Britain’s leading experts in international law has said that the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war must deliver a convincing account of the mistakes that led to the 2003 conflict to help restore public trust in politics.’
The Guardian, 3rd July 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Battle to stop Jack Straw facing Libya rendition charges – The Guardian
‘The government has spent at least £600,000 of taxpayers’ money trying to prevent a civil case being brought against it by a husband and wife who allege that British intelligence was complicit in their detention, rendition and torture.’
The Guardian, 26th June 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Crown Prosecution Service statement: Operation Lydd – CPS News Brief
‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has considered a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police relating to one suspect in connection with allegations made concerning the movement and alleged ill treatment of Abdel Hakim Belhadj and his wife, Fatima Boudchar, and Sami Al Saadi and his wife and children from countries in South East Asia to Libya in 2004.’
CPS News Brief, 9th June 2016
Source: http://blog.cps.gov.uk
CPS will not bring charges against MI6 over rendition of Libyan families – The Guardian
‘Prosecutors are set to announce that they are bringing no charges following a police investigation into MI6’s involvement in the kidnapping of two families who were “rendered” to the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s prisons, despite protests by the victims and their lawyers that the evidence against the agency is overwhelming.’
The Guardian, 8th June 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Independent review of the operational case for bulk powers: terms of reference – Home Office
‘Terms of reference for an independent review of the operational case for bulk powers.’
Home Office, 7th June 2016
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
