This is what they’ve actually published so far: [i:19b20c9850]We will introduce safeguards against the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation.[/i:19b20c9850]
I think the rest is speculation. Unless they bring in legislation specifically preventing local authorities from using RIPA there is nothing they can do to stop it because it’s the law of the land. I suspect the guidance and definitions will be toughened up. There is a lot of misunderstanding about RIPA but my view is that, if we use it, it both restricts us and protects us (HRA issues). There is one view that we can do surveillance without using RIPA at all. It’s all about admissibility of evidence in a criminal trial. Where LAs have used RIPA for civil enforcement they have certainly done so unnecessarily but it doesn’t mean they couldn’t do surveillance anyway
