4 Jan 2010 - Lib Dem action to control Council Snooping
The Lib Dems have taken action in Bristol to control the amount of "snooping" that the city council might undertake. Cabot councillor Mark Wright is also in the council's "Cabinet" and was responsible for pushing the changes through. He comments:
"The British public have been very clear about their unhappiness at the amount of 'snooping' that some councils have been undertaking. We have listened and acted on that so that our council will not be danger of overstepping the mark as some other councils have done. Lib Dems have a clear commitment to protecting the civil liberties and privacy of residents, so I am delighted I can announce that this council will not only be implementing changes but also reviewing its current policies and procedures."
"I want the public to know that 'snooping' authorisations will only be granted as a last resort, and will always be regretted. This Lib Dem council won't do such things just because it can. In future, the council's privacy-related activities will be scrutinised in public by a council committee, which will act as a proper check on the use of such methods."