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Clegg calls for UK Bill of Rights in response to Cameron’s crypto-claims

In response to the Charlie Hebdo attacks, David Cameron this week pledged new anti-terror laws for the internet that would ensure there were no longer any no-go areas where terror suspects could hide online.

However, Nick Clegg last night voiced his opposition to the prospective legislation, claiming the Prime Minister’s proposal is not “targeted, proportionate or harmless”.

In response to David Cameron’s suggestion that encrypted methods of communication should be banned, Clegg has called for a Bill of Rights to ensure the protection of British freedoms.

Speaking at the Journalists’ Charity annual reception, the Deputy Prime minister insisted “we have every right to invade the privacy of terrorists and those we think want to do us harm – but we should not equate that with invading the privacy of every single person in the UK.”

Cameron’s proposals

Earlier this week, David Cameron said “we must not” allow a means of communication where individuals can communicate in secret over the internet. The comments came in response to the attacks in France last week that started with the shooting at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

A number of widely used services, including Snapchat and Apple’s iMessage, use encrypted data to protect people’s privacy and could potentially be banned under the Prime Minister’s proposals.

Clegg’s Bill of Rights

“If we really believe freedom of speech is a founding principle of our democracy, then we must act to protect it,” explained Clegg.

He told the crowd at the Irish Embassy that he was envious of the US because “every schoolchild is taught from day one that they have inalienable rights”.

“I want us to have the same [as the US]” said Clegg.

“The Liberal Democrats are committed to a constitutional convention after the general election, and deciding how we enshrine free speech in a British Bill of Rights should be at the heart of it.”

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