Unelected members of the House of Lords listen to a speech by Britain's unelected head of state Elizabeth Windsor
by Bethany Rielly
THE “Spycop” Bill passed through the House of Lords today despite a last-ditch bid to halt the “dangerous” legislation in its tracks.
A “fatal motion” tabled by Green peer Baroness Jones to prevent the Covert Human Intelligence and Resources (CHIS) Bill from passing was overwhelmingly rejected by 440 to 29 votes.
Under the proposed legislation, public authorities ranging from police and MI5 to the Environmental and Food Standards Agency will be able to authorise agents to commit crimes while undercover.
Tony Benn’s constituents chose him by an overwhelming majority — but because he had inherited a peerage, parliamentary rules declared their choice invalid, writes MAT COWARD
Evidence to peers from medical leaders, patient safety officials and the children’s commissioner has intensified fears that the Bill’s safeguards are inadequate, writes ADAM JAMES POLLOCK
