FEARS OVER NEW EU SNOOPING POWERS FOR POLICE

THE TELEGRAPH - TOM WHITEHEAD

Britons face being snooped on by European police officers for even the most trivial matters under plans drawn up by the EU.

The proposed power would allow officers from an EU country to demand information on anyone they suspect of an offence, no matter how minor or whether it is even criminal in the UK. The directive would see UK police almost powerless to prevent the handing over of personal details such as DNA, bank account or even telephone records.

Fair Trials International (FTI) said it could result in disproportionate requests, such as demands for the DNA of plane loads of British holidaymakers following a murder in their resort.

A report by FTI said: “This could include requests to interview suspects or witnesses or obtain information in real time, by intercepting and monitoring telephone or email communications or by monitoring activity in bank accounts.

“States could also be required to obtain or analyse DNA samples or fingerprints and send the information to the issuing state within fixed deadlines.”

The FTI report added the directive is “far from satisfactory in terms of guaranteeing fundamental rights and ensuring proportionality”.