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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Review 'backs intercept evidence' | Review 'backs intercept evidence' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| An independent review into the use of intercept evidence in court cases will conclude that it can and should be allowed, the BBC has learned. | An independent review into the use of intercept evidence in court cases will conclude that it can and should be allowed, the BBC has learned. |
| The UK is one of a few countries that bans such evidence and the security services are opposed to its use. | The UK is one of a few countries that bans such evidence and the security services are opposed to its use. |
| Gordon Brown will make a Commons statement on the issue on Wednesday. | Gordon Brown will make a Commons statement on the issue on Wednesday. |
| BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the PM was minded to allow phone tap and other intercept evidence in a very small number of cases. | |
| But he said Mr Brown wanted more studies and more reassurances for the security services first. | |
| Last year the prime minister asked former civil servant Sir John Chilcot to look into whether intercept evidence - secretly intercepted private communications which can include telephone calls, faxes, e-mails and post - should be used in court cases. | |
| Complex cases | Complex cases |
| The government wants to extend the period for which terrorist suspects can be held without being charged, because they say increasingly complex cases means it takes longer to build a convincing case. | The government wants to extend the period for which terrorist suspects can be held without being charged, because they say increasingly complex cases means it takes longer to build a convincing case. |
| But critics of the extension proposals say allowing intercept evidence to be used would make it easier to secure convictions and most countries use it to good effect. | But critics of the extension proposals say allowing intercept evidence to be used would make it easier to secure convictions and most countries use it to good effect. |
| The use of intercept has proved vital to counter-terrorist efforts almost everywhere else in the world David DavisShadow home secretary | The use of intercept has proved vital to counter-terrorist efforts almost everywhere else in the world David DavisShadow home secretary |
| Mr Brown will announce Sir John's findings after prime minister's questions on Wednesday but the BBC understands they will back the use of intercept evidence in court. | Mr Brown will announce Sir John's findings after prime minister's questions on Wednesday but the BBC understands they will back the use of intercept evidence in court. |
| The security services are concerned that surveillance techniques and their limitations would be revealed - and say they do not have sufficient staff to go through evidence and transcribe conversations to be submitted to court. | The security services are concerned that surveillance techniques and their limitations would be revealed - and say they do not have sufficient staff to go through evidence and transcribe conversations to be submitted to court. |
| 'More harm' | 'More harm' |
| In evidence to the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee published last week, representatives of the surveillance service GCHQ said: "So far we do not believe that anything proposed passes the test of doing more good than harm. | In evidence to the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee published last week, representatives of the surveillance service GCHQ said: "So far we do not believe that anything proposed passes the test of doing more good than harm. |
| "And we are convinced it would lead to a net reduction in our national ability to deal with crime and terrorism." | "And we are convinced it would lead to a net reduction in our national ability to deal with crime and terrorism." |
| That seems to me, if we do allow intercept evidence, to be unnecessary Chris HuhneLib Dems | That seems to me, if we do allow intercept evidence, to be unnecessary Chris HuhneLib Dems |
| But shadow home secretary David Davis said the review "sounds like a breakthrough." | But shadow home secretary David Davis said the review "sounds like a breakthrough." |
| "We have been calling for this for years. The use of intercept has proved vital to counter-terrorist efforts almost everywhere else in the world." | "We have been calling for this for years. The use of intercept has proved vital to counter-terrorist efforts almost everywhere else in the world." |
| Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne told the BBC: "If we can use intercept evidence, that removes a very important argument for a further extension of the period in which people who are suspected of terrorist offences can be held without charge or trial. | Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne told the BBC: "If we can use intercept evidence, that removes a very important argument for a further extension of the period in which people who are suspected of terrorist offences can be held without charge or trial. |
| "The government is currently attempting to extend that period from 28 days to 42 days. That seems to me, if we do allow intercept evidence, to be unnecessary." | "The government is currently attempting to extend that period from 28 days to 42 days. That seems to me, if we do allow intercept evidence, to be unnecessary." |