BBC News Online: 'Snoop' plans put on hold

[David Hansen]

On 18 Jun 2002 at 22:21, David_Biggins@usermgmt.com wrote:

> --- Ministers would attempt to build "consensus" before trying to
> introduce similar orders, Mr Blunkett added. 

It appears Mr Blunkett has seen something of the light. He is to be 
congratulated. Let's hope he is not fixed by his officials who run 
the evil empire.

The BBC recording of the 18-6-02 1pm news on Radio 4 contains the 
following:

"If I can start again, get a consensus, all those people who have 
criticised now come forward with what they believe to be an 
acceptable way forward"

Unfortunately I don't seem able to save the sound file with this in

pnm://rm.bbc.net.uk/news/media/audio/38083000/rm/_38083347_snoopers13_
blunkett.rm

so if someone with better technical skills than I wants to preserve 
it, just in case it "disappears", that might be useful.

Starting again means just that in my view, from first principles. As 
far as I can see the base point should be the oversight (limited as 
it is) of the courts before any such data is released. If this means 
that a number of recent laws have to be changed then that is no 
problem. The people in the Westminster parliament shouldn't have 
passed them in the first place.

If we are to have this debate I look forward to the Home Office 
putting in an appearance again. Hopefully they will be less arrogant 
than they were last time. If they have nothing to hide than they have 
nothing to fear from a full discussion. If they just try bluster and 
bullshit, as they did last time, then we will know that the process 
is the sham it was last time.



--
  David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
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