State surveillance could have 'chilling effect'
The government's new 'snooping powers' to be proposed in the Queen's speech need to be legally justified, according to a former Whitehall intelligence chief.
Sir David Omand, former director of the GCHQ electronic listening agency, said it was essential that there was a legal justification for any expansion of the government's power to monitor the personal correspondence of the public.
In a report he co-authored with Demos, he warned no such legal argument had been made and warned of the "chilling effect" fears of state surveillance could have on the use of social media.
More top news
Big energy firms line pockets while we are all shivering
Despite a big profit rise SSE is sending out a warning that it is "highly likely" bills will go up.
Entire lolly stick pulled from puppy's stomach
The 15-month-old Shih Tzu was showing some tell tale signs that something wasn't quite right after swallowing the stick.
Sharon Osborne to return to The X Factor
Original X Factor judge Sharon Osborne is to return to the show for its 10th anniversary.