There is a “real risk” that terrorists could avoid prosecution if proposed internet monitoring powers are abandoned, the Director of Public Prosecutions is reported to have warned Nick Clegg.
The Deputy Prime Minister blocked the inclusion of the Communications Data Bill dubbed a “snooper’s charter” by critics from the Queen’s Speech, claiming it was “disproportionate” and “unworkable”.
Pressure for the powers to be introduced intensified once again in the wake of the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich.
Foreign Secretary William Hague told MPs this week there remained a “very strong case” to extend monitoring of online activity, as he was quizzed over reported UK intelligence use of a secret US internet spy programme.
In a letter to Mr Clegg seen by a daily newspaper and dated April 23, before the Queen’s Speech, Keir Starmer warned that technological advances “are reducing the communications data we have had available under the current legislative framework,” the DPP told him.
“Communications data is used to support prosecutions for a range of criminal offences. But for cases such as counter terrorism, organised crime and large-scale fraud, I would go so far as to say that communications data is so important that any reduction in capability would create a real risk to future prosecutions.
“It is also important evidence in cases such as stalking and harassment, which can cause great distress to the individual victim.”