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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Olympics audio surveillance row | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By John Pienaar BBC political correspondent | By John Pienaar BBC political correspondent |
| onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6186468'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm">Blunkett interview A new civil liberties controversy has flared up over the news that police chiefs are considering using high-powered microphones to "eavesdrop" - as critics will see it - on crowds at the London 2012 Olympics. | |
| A high-ranking officer told the BBC the proposal to strengthen security by using microphones alongside closed-circuit TV involved "taking public surveillance to an entirely new level". | A high-ranking officer told the BBC the proposal to strengthen security by using microphones alongside closed-circuit TV involved "taking public surveillance to an entirely new level". |
| But the former Home Secretary David Blunkett called publicly on the government to block the scheme. | But the former Home Secretary David Blunkett called publicly on the government to block the scheme. |
| He told BBC Radio Five Live's Weekend News programme that the suggestion was "simply unacceptable", and smacked of the "surveillance state". | He told BBC Radio Five Live's Weekend News programme that the suggestion was "simply unacceptable", and smacked of the "surveillance state". |
| As you walk down the street you expect to be able to have a private conversation David Blunkett | As you walk down the street you expect to be able to have a private conversation David Blunkett |
| Mr Blunkett said the idea echoed the fictional authoritarian "Brave New World" of Aldous Huxley. | Mr Blunkett said the idea echoed the fictional authoritarian "Brave New World" of Aldous Huxley. |
| "As you walk down the street you expect to be able to have a private conversation," he said. | "As you walk down the street you expect to be able to have a private conversation," he said. |
| "If you can't guarantee that - and here is someone speaking who has been pretty tough in terms of what should be available to protect society - I believe we have slipped over the edge." | "If you can't guarantee that - and here is someone speaking who has been pretty tough in terms of what should be available to protect society - I believe we have slipped over the edge." |
| He said he hoped the government would not authorise it. | He said he hoped the government would not authorise it. |
| "There is an enormous difference between surveilling people in terms of CCTV - where what you see is what anyone can see walking down the road - and actually recording someone's private conversations," he said. | "There is an enormous difference between surveilling people in terms of CCTV - where what you see is what anyone can see walking down the road - and actually recording someone's private conversations," he said. |
| Safeguards | Safeguards |
| The idea of using audio surveillance at the Olympics is being considered among proposals for enhancing security at the Olympics, well-placed sources have told Five Live. | The idea of using audio surveillance at the Olympics is being considered among proposals for enhancing security at the Olympics, well-placed sources have told Five Live. |
| The devices would be able to pick up conversations up to 100 yards away. | The devices would be able to pick up conversations up to 100 yards away. |
| But details of how the system might be used have not been worked out. | But details of how the system might be used have not been worked out. |
| Safeguards could be included in the scheme, such as requiring audio surveillance to be authorised by a senior officer and ensuring the system was reviewed by an independent monitor. | Safeguards could be included in the scheme, such as requiring audio surveillance to be authorised by a senior officer and ensuring the system was reviewed by an independent monitor. |
| The proposal has not yet been finalised, however, or submitted for political approval. | The proposal has not yet been finalised, however, or submitted for political approval. |
| Police sources concede that public debate and political approval would be needed before such a controversial extension of police powers could be approved. | Police sources concede that public debate and political approval would be needed before such a controversial extension of police powers could be approved. |