Nick Clegg warned over surveillance plan

British MPs are warning Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg they may not support his surveillance proposals. Photo / Thinkstock

Plans to allow the authorities to monitor the online activity of every person in Britain were pushed back after being condemned by MPs from all parties.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced that the contentious measures would be published only in draft form and would be subject to widespread consultation - concessions that could delay the proposals for at least a year.

In a letter to Clegg published in the Independent yesterday, 17 Liberal Democrat MPs welcomed his intervention but warned him their support could not be taken for granted.

A storm erupted this week after it emerged that legislation to allow the police, intelligence services, councils and other public bodies to obtain details of messages sent via Skype and social networks would be included in the Queen's Speech.

The disclosure provoked anger among Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs alike, who warned that the proposals contradicted the parties' opposition to a similar Labour scheme - and were not included in the Coalition Agreement.

There have also been recriminations within the Coalition as Liberal Democrats - understood to have been backed by some Tory ministers - accused Theresa May, the Home Secretary, of mishandling the issue.

Clegg told the BBC that the most contentious parts of the legislation would be published in draft form to enable "proper scrutiny and examination and stress-testing". He said the Government would "consult and think whether existing powers are sufficient".

His comments came just hours after May made a passionate defence of the proposed measures - which the intelligence services originally wanted in place by the northern summer - as essential for tracking down criminals, paedophiles and terrorists.

The planned bill would also allow GCHQ to obtain information "on demand" and in "real time" without a warrant, and require internet companies to install hardware tracking telephone and website traffic.

In their letter, the Liberal Democrat MPs make it clear that Clegg will have a rebellion on his hands if the Government allows a major expansion of surveillance.

Prime Minister David Cameron also sought to lower the temperature among his backbenchers, insisting he was opposed to creating a "snoopers' charter".

He said: "This is not about extending the reach of the state into people's data; it's about trying to keep up with modern technology."

- Independent