Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the time taken between the Metropolitan Police being notified by the Electoral Commission of possible breaches of electoral law by Leave.EU and their collection of relevant evidence from the Electoral Commission.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Following the conclusion of an investigation into the campaign spending of Vote Leave and other campaigners during the 2016 EU referendum, the Electoral Commission made two referrals to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) regarding potential criminal offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The first referral was received by the MPS on 11 May 2018 and the second was received on 17 July 2018. On 7 September 2018 the MPS received over 900 documents from the Electoral Commission in relation to both referrals.
The decision to launch an investigation is entirely an operational matter for the police. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment on operational decisions made by the MPS concerning the Electoral Commission’s referrals.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recommendation from the Interception of Communications Commissioner that judicial authorisation is obtained in cases where communications data are sought to determine the source of journalistic information, whether they intend to implement the recommendation; and, if so, when.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Government indicated on the day that the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s inquiry report was published that we accepted the recommendations in it in full. We will bring forward the necessary legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which Acts of Parliament prohibit the use of international mobile subscriber identity catchers to monitor and jam mobile devices in a locality.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 makes it an offence for a person to interfere with wireless telegraphy or to use wireless telegraphy with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of a message of which neither he nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient. The lawfulness of any particular technology will depend on its nature and the context in which it is used.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how official police use of international mobile subscriber identity catchers is authorised.
Answered by Lord Bates
Investigative activity involving interference with property or wireless telegraphy is regulated by the Police Act 1997 which sets out the high level of authorisation required before the police can undertake such activity. Use of these powers is overseen by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners.