Terrorist Attack in Paris

Baroness Manningham-Buller Excerpts

Wednesday 14th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bates]

I am grateful to my noble friend for raising that point, which perfectly illustrates the tensions. I disagree fundamentally with what has been said, both by Rupert Murdoch and by the UKIP member in the other example that she gave. Again, however, we defend the free press and its right to say that.

[Baroness Manningham-Buller (CB)]

My Lords, I can well understand that Members on the Lib Dem Benches wish to wait, as many of us would like to in an ideal world, for the outcome of David Anderson’s review of terrorism legislation, and they welcome the ISC on the subject of data and the work of the independent group at RUSI. However, does the Minister accept that in waiting for those recommendations and in taking a slow and considered look at legislation in this difficult area, we heighten the risk to our citizens?

[Lord Bates]

The noble Baroness, who of course has immense experience in this area, will recall that the Home Secretary said that,

“every day that passes without the proposals in the draft Communications Data Bill, the capabilities of the people who keep us safe diminish; and as those capabilities diminish, more people find themselves in danger and—yes—crimes will go unpunished and innocent lives will be put at risk”.

That is a very sober message for all Members of this House to reflect upon.