Councils to be given power to snoop on calls and emails

Councils and public bodies are to be able to access all email, telephone and internet records, sparking new fears over the surveillance state.

Towns halls, along with police, security services and other public bodies will be able to view "communications" details of any one suspected of crime.

But critics fear the move will simply pave the way for authorities to spy on millions of citizens and taxpayers.

The power is contained in a new statutory order quietly laid before parliament yesterday.

If approved, it will come into effect from next month and cost the public more than £46 million to set up and run over the next eight years.

Bodies will not be allowed to see the content of communications but will have access to data such as who was called or texted and when or which websites were visited.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, accused the Government or transforming "understandable policies" in to "erroneous invasions" of people's lives.

"The multi-million pound cost of implementing this directive is bad enough, but what's worse is the fact that local authority busy-bodies will be able to monitor our comings and goings. The Government should stop using terrorism as an excuse to snoop on law-abiding families."

Since 2007, phone companies have had to retain data about calls for 12 months and hand it over to more than 650 public bodies.

Parliament approved the powers, described as a vital tool against terrorism, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

But under the latest order that is to be extended to all communications, including the internet.

It is implementing the controversial EU Directive 2006/24/EC, on the retention of communications data, said records would only be available "to assist in the investigation, detection and prosecution of serious crime''.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "It is the Government's priority to protect public safety and national security. That is why we are completing the implementation of this directive, which will bring the UK in line with our European counter parts. 

"Communications data is the what, where and when of the communication and plays a vital part in a wide range of criminal investigations, and prevention of terrorists attacks as well as contributing to public safety more generally. Without communications data resolving crimes such as the Rhys Jones murder would be very difficult if not impossible.  continues here

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