The Liberal Democrats VOTED AGAINST the Tories’ CRIME AUTHORISATION BILL. (Oct 15, 2020)

This Bill will allow a whole range of employees of Government agencies to authorise crimes, up to and including murder and torture.

The Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson ALISTAIR CARMICHAEL led cross-party opposition to the Government's Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill, calling a vote against the legislation in the House of Commons.

Writing in The Independent ahead of the debate, Alistair set out the Lib Dem concerns:

"The Bill gives vast powers not only to the security agencies but also to a questionable collection of public bodies. There are no real limits, weak safeguards and inadequate oversight."

"The Bill has no limits on the types of crime that could be authorised."

"Murder, torture - it is all on the table as written. There is no independent approval of a decision to authorise a crime - or even a requirement for police or prosecutors to be informed about it at all..."

"It is essential that there is a clear legal basis for the actions of government agents. It has been lacking for far too long."

This bill does not provide the clear legal basis for the actions of government agents that the Liberal democrats consider is essential.