RIPA Part III

[Owen Lewis]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> [mailto:ukcrypto-admin@chiark.greenend.org.uk]On Behalf Of Peter
> Fairbrother
> Sent: 13 June 2006 21:27
> To: ukcrypto@chiark.greenend.org.uk
> Subject: FW: RIPA Part III
>
>
>
> ----------
> From: Watkin Simon <Simon.Watkin@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk>
> Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:58:14 +0100
> To: 'Peter Fairbrother' <zenadsl6186@zen.co.uk>
> Subject: RE: RIPA Part III
>
> ......  Murder and robbery, and let throw in child abuse,
> are crimes
> and they hurt people. If the evidence of those crimes is protected should
> law enforcement just walk away?  No.  If we can make it a requirement that
> is used appropriately, only necessarily and never unnecessarily, only
> proportionately and never unfairly or arbitrarily, and make that
> requirement
> enforceable by law, as we do with requirements to give breath
> samples at the
> roadside, that is surely in the best interest of the public in
> order to deal
> with those individuals who hurt people.
>
> Simon
>
If I may say so, that's a neat summation of the case. The key concern is one
of proportionality and not of principle. Can the use of the powers be fixed
to investigation of offences of an established grade of seriousness? E.g.
offences punishable by a maximum sentence of (say) not less than five year's
imprisonment?

Owen