Snoopers Charter debate cancelled

The Government has postponed a debate for its controversial plan to extend powers to snoop on telecoms and electronic communications to almost any public body that demands access.

A debate on the draft order to give seven Whitehall departments and local authorities access to individuals' email and phone records was due to be discussed tomorrow.

The government claimed the delay for the debate of the draft order, nicknamed the Snoopers Charter, is due to parliamentary procedures.

Nick Gibb, Conservative member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, told silicon.com: "There is absolutely no justifiable reason why non-criminal justice authorities should have the power to obtain people's phone bills and other personal records. This bill doesn't even require a magistrate's permission.

"I'm anxious about the police having these powers, but at least it can be justified in their respect for fighting terrorism."

Conservatives are up in arms over the proposal and will oppose the draft order when it gets to the Lords if Labour uses its majority to get it through the Commons.

A new date has not yet been set for the discussion.