Liberty's Second Reading Briefing on the Counter-Terrorism & Security Bill in the House of Commons

Introduction
1. This is the seventh counter-terrorism Bill introduced in fourteen years, brought
forward against the backdrop of the spread of ISIL in the power vacuum that has developed
in Iraq and Syria. Parliament has been asked to approve the Bill – which contains sweeping
and unprecedented new powers for the authorities - on a fast-tracked timetable.
Part 1 contains new powers for summary passport seizure at ports and borders and
an Executive power to invalidate passports and prevent the return of British citizens
outside of the jurisdiction;
Part 2 contains reforms to the TPIMs regime and reintroduces an Executive power to
internally exile individuals within the UK for up to two years;
Part 3 extends the Home Secretary’s indiscriminate power to require communications
companies to retain communications data;
Part 4 creates a new authority to carry scheme which will, for the first time, forbid
airline carriers from taking British citizens and entire categories of nationality in and
out of the country;
Part 5 places a statutory duty on public authorities – including schools, universities,
NHS trusts, nurseries and local councils - to prevent terrorism as part of their
functions;
A further significant reform has been included in Part 6 the Bill which amends the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) to allow for the warrantless
interception of all post sent within the UK or to and from the UK.
2. Liberty believes that it is the vital task of Government, security and law enforcement
agencies to protect life through targeted and effective surveillance, criminal investigations
and prosecution. Sadly this Bill ignores reforms that could improve the effectiveness of
investigations and continues the discredited trend of unnecessary and unjust blank cheque
powers that have the potential to undermine long term security. Last week, the Intelligence
and Security Committee published a report into the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby which
contained a devastating and detailed critique of the Agencies’ strategy. Liberty urges
parliamentarians to critique the proposals in this Bill in light of these catalogue failings, some
of which would be further encouraged by the proposals in this Bill.