Labour under fire over Police Bill
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The new leader of the 9,000 barristers in England and Wales launched a stinging attack last night on the Labour Party for failing to oppose the Government's "law and order" programme.
Robert Owen QC, who takes over as chairman of the Bar on 1 January, said in his inaugural speech that the opposition had "failed lamentably" to promote a proper debate over the proposals for mandatory sentences and new police powers to conduct bugging and covert searches without warrants.
"The Police Bill now before Parliament raises constitutional issues of extraordinary importance," Mr Owen said. "It will permit the police covertly to invade private property to place electronic listening devices. Barristers chambers and solicitors offices are not excluded. The proposals will therefore also be an invasion of legal professional privilege. The answer is surely that such a power should be subject to the same constraints as a search warrant, namely that its exercise should be authorised by the judiciary.
"What is of the greatest concern is that at present the proposals are not opposed by the Opposition. It has been left to the law lords and to the Liberal Democrats in Parliament."
Mr Owen accused both government and opposition of appearing to be "prepared to sacrifice important constitutional principles to short term political advantage".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments