SURVEILLANCE laws are not fit for purpose and allow the authorities “to engage in acts which would be unacceptable in a democracy,” a committee of MPs has said.

In a report published today the home affairs select committee found that police officers are failing to routinely record the professions of individuals who have had their communications data accessed under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa).

Earlier this year, Sir Paul Kennedy, interim interception of communications ommissioner, launched an inquiry into potential misuse of Ripa following reports that police had used the legislation to access reporters’ telephone and email records.

The select committee report called on the Home Office to hold a consultation on an amended Ripa Code of Practice with special provisions for dealing with privileged information, such as journalistic material.

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the committee, said: “Ripa is not fit for purpose. 

“Using Ripa to access telephone records of journalists is wrong and this practice must cease. The inevitable consequence is that this deters whistleblowers from coming forward.”

The NUJ welcomed the findings but urged for judicial oversight before journalists’ records and data can be obtained by the police and other authorities.