Posted by: Kevin Davis | February 4, 2008

Brown ‘unaware’ of bugging letter

This is a very surprising development in the world of politics and this Government tearing up the traditional rulebook of what protection MPs enjoy.

It is clear that for a long time both Brown and Blair believed backbench MPs to be an irrelevancy. In this context the fact they are being bugged by the Government should come as no surprise.

But then the next question is… why should MPs be exempt from bugging? If the state has reason to believe that they, or their associates, are a danger then what is to stop them being bugged? My understanding is that bugging is allowed but only once the authority of the Prime Minister has been sought and give.

The public seem to believe MPs should be bugged, a poll being run by the BBC says that 3 to 1 the public believes MP’s should not be exempt. But then, how much of that is a reflection of how much utter contempt the public holds for MPs?

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One cannot assume that the UK authorities are the ones doing the bugging.

Sounds more like a Bushy Boy iniative and no point in bugging ministers who are clearly clueless,so back benchers are a much more lucrative source.

By: mojoman on February 4, 2008
at 11:26 am

I am suprised at the public opinion regarding the bugging of a member of parliament. You would not expect your meeting with your solicitor or doctor to be bugged and made public. An MP and a constituent should also have an expectation of complete privacy. It is absolutely absurd to think otherwise.

Obviously this stems from low public confidence in politicians and the political process as a whole. But let us not be partisan about this, it has been this way for a long time and is not solely the result of Labour Party policy.

The issue of who authorised the bugging must be quickly established and action must be taken very swiftly. The rights of an MP and a constituent’s right to privacy have been violated in an entirely heinous manner.

By: Lee Skevington on February 4, 2008
at 5:36 pm

I guess you are right mojoman, we make assumptions about who is doing the bugging.

Lee, I agree with much of what you say that this is not a partisan issue - until such time as the investigation reveals exactly who authorised it.

However, we are now hearing that in fact the protocol saying that MPs should not be bugged would not have covered this eventuality as it is to do with whom the target of the bugging is. If an MP happens to speak to a person who is a target then it appears the Wilson protocol does not hold water. It is only when an MP is a target that it needs to be approved by the PM.

Let’s wait and see!

By: Kevin Davis on February 4, 2008
at 6:44 pm

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