I am delighted at the new Government’s pledge to roll back and repeal some of the worst civil liberty abuses of the Labour Government, including the ability of the police to keep innocent people’s records on the DNA Database set out in Nick Clegg’s first speech as Deputy Prime Minister.
As well as changing the law on the DNA Database, the Government will abolish the Labour Party’s plans for expensive, intrusive ID Cards and biometric passports, end the finger printing of children in schools without their parents’ permission, and stop the Government from storing internet and email records unless there is a legitimate reason to do so.
I have campaigned for many years to protect civil liberties. In 2008 I tabled a 10 Minute Rule Bill in Parliament, to prevent police keeping innocent people’s DNA.
Nick Clegg’s speech will come as very welcome news to everyone who has seen their civil liberties disappear over the past 13 years.
I am particularly pleased by the decision to change the law on retaining innocent people’s DNA on the Police DNA Database. It is disgraceful that those who have never been charged, or who have been found innocent of a crime, have been treated by the Labour Government as though they were guilty.
The Lib Dems have been calling for years to abolish ID Cards, biometric passports and the finger printing of children without their parents’ consent. Now we finally have a chance to put into practice the promises we made in our manifesto.
This is a very important step in rolling back the worst excess of the Labour administration and helping to create a freer, fairer society.
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