The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reprieve Director Maya Foa commented:<\/strong> \u201cWithout limits on the crimes agents can commit this Bill is wide open to abuse \u2013 and history suggests this will result in terrible harm. We are hopeful the House of Lords will amend this legislation to make clear MI5 cannot say what is and isn\u2019t lawful, nor authorise torture, murder, or sexual violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bill grants every police force in Britain, plus MI5 and a broad range of other governmental bodies the power to authorise undercover agents to commit crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the debate, MPs from across the political spectrum called for strict limits in the bill to prevent authorisation of the most serious crimes, including murder, torture and sexual violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAmerica and Canada learnt the hard way, the need to include specific limits in the crimes that agents can commit,\u201d said Conservative MP David Davis. \u201cBoth countries have set clear limits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Labour spokesman Conor McGinn MP said: \u201cNothing justifies murder, torture, sexual violence\u2026 It is one of the biggest concerns about the bill that there is nothing in it to limit or specify the kinds of offences covered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty certain that sooner or later\u2026 we will be back here looking at a future bill because this one is not fit for the purpose for which the Government claims it,\u201d said Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bill now moves to the House of Lords for consideration and amendment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"