Data law to be 'railroaded' through Parliament

Black Country MPs Tom Watson and David Winnick raised concerns that 'very few' MPs had seen the draft of legislation that will force phone and internet companies to log records of customer calls, texts and internet use.

Ministers say police and security services have to be able to access data following a European legal ruling.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrat and Labour leaders are all backing it.

The laws would last until 2016.

Mr Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, said: "The party leadership have reached agreement to rush through emergency legislation on surveillance.

"The legislation was going to the shadow cabinet this morning.

"It will be passed next week but very few MPs have seen it.

"It may be railroaded through in as little as three days."

The European Court of Justice has removed the obligation on telecommunications companies to keep records of when and whom customers called, texted or emailed.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are concerned information could be destroyed by companies within weeks to avoid legal challenges from people who want their data erased unless a new law is passed.

The emergency law will force firms to hold the data for 12 months.

The old European law required them to keep it for two years.

But the new bill also contains a controversial clause that allow access to the content of calls, texts and emails if a senior government minister signs the warrant.

Home Secretary Theresa May insisted the proposed legislation maintained the status quo established under the last Labour government. She also accused Mr Watson of finding a 'conspiracy'.

She said: "What we are doing is ensuring that we confirm and maintain capabilities that have already been put in place, capabilities that have been put in place under legislation that was actually passed under the last Labour government.

"I recognise you and and a number of other honourable members of this House have indicated when the front benches agree on something, somehow this is a conspiracy that needs to be resisted at all costs.

"I have to say the fact that all parties within this House, that the coalition Government and Her Majesty's Opposition are supporting this, just shows the serious nature of the issues that we face and the importance of dealing with it."

Mr Winnick, MP for Walsall North, said he would not be supporting the Bill due to 'misgivings' about the rushed timetable.

He told the House of Commons: "Is the Home Secretary aware that, despite what she has said, there is much misgivings, which I share, about the legislation being rushed through next week.

"I will not be supporting it and I think it is quite wrong that such important legislation affecting criminality, terrorism and civil liberties should be rushed through in one single day.

"The front benches agree. That doesn't necessarily mean that all of us have to agree as well."

Mrs May replied: "I disagree with you."