Written statement to Parliament

Covert surveillance and covert human intelligence source codes of practice consultation

This written ministerial statement was laid in the House of Commons by Damian Green MP and in the House of Lords by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
皇冠体育app Rt Hon Damian Green

皇冠体育app Minister of State for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims (Damian Green):

I am today announcing the publication of the government鈥檚 consultation on the covert surveillance and covert human intelligence source codes of practice. 皇冠体育app Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) contains a requirement for codes of practice to guide those who use the powers for which the act provides.

皇冠体育app majority of the proposals to update the codes of practice are as a consequence of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Covert Human Intelligence Sources: Relevant Sources) Order 2013 which I laid on 31 October 2013 and came into force on 1 January 2014. In addition, there are a number technical or other amendments which provide greater clarity for those authorising and using covert techniques.

RIPA and its associated codes of practice have greatly improved control and oversight of the way public authorities use covert investigatory techniques, in order to protect our right to privacy. 皇冠体育app proposed changes will promote the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in this most sensitive aspect of law enforcement.

皇冠体育app consultation will last for 6 weeks, during which time the Home Office will actively engage with partners. Copies of the consultation will be placed in the House Library. An online version of this consultation will be available at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/covert-surveillance

Updates to this page

Published 13 February 2014