luka
Well-known member
The Bill is called the “Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill” and can be found here: https://services.parliament.uk/Bills/2019-21/coverthumanintelligencesourcescriminalconduct.html
On this page, the bill is summarised as:
“Summary of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2019-21
"A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the authorisation of criminal conduct in the course of, or otherwise in connection with, the conduct of covert human intelligence sources.”
Inspection of the Bill reveals that it is not restricted to intelligence agencies, but rather includes a list of Relevant Authorities. The list is rather long:
Police forces etc
A1 Any police force.
B1 The National Crime Agency.
C1 The Serious Fraud Office.
The intelligence services
D1 Any of the intelligence services.
The armed forces
E1 Any of Her Majesty’s forces.
Revenue and Customs
F1 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Government departments
G1 The Department of Health and Social Care.
H1 The Home Office.
I1 The Ministry of Justice.
Other bodies
J1 The Competition and Markets Authority.
K1 The Environment Agency.
L1 The Financial Conduct Authority.
M1 The Food Standards Agency.
N1 The Gambling Commission.
There doesn't appear to be any restriction on the type of crimes these bodies will be permitted to commit. There is passing mention of the Human Rights Act (1998), but the checks and balances appear weak.
On this page, the bill is summarised as:
“Summary of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2019-21
"A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the authorisation of criminal conduct in the course of, or otherwise in connection with, the conduct of covert human intelligence sources.”
Inspection of the Bill reveals that it is not restricted to intelligence agencies, but rather includes a list of Relevant Authorities. The list is rather long:
Police forces etc
A1 Any police force.
B1 The National Crime Agency.
C1 The Serious Fraud Office.
The intelligence services
D1 Any of the intelligence services.
The armed forces
E1 Any of Her Majesty’s forces.
Revenue and Customs
F1 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Government departments
G1 The Department of Health and Social Care.
H1 The Home Office.
I1 The Ministry of Justice.
Other bodies
J1 The Competition and Markets Authority.
K1 The Environment Agency.
L1 The Financial Conduct Authority.
M1 The Food Standards Agency.
N1 The Gambling Commission.
There doesn't appear to be any restriction on the type of crimes these bodies will be permitted to commit. There is passing mention of the Human Rights Act (1998), but the checks and balances appear weak.