25 signatures reached
To: The Law Commission
Espionage Act Travesty
Reduce the wide ranging scope of the proposals for criminalising the activities of investigative journalists and whistleblowers under the new Espionage Act - as well as reducing the severe penalties for convictions.
Why is this important?
Our Government, its Institutions, Politicians, Local Councils are NOT trusted to conduct their affairs with efficiency and integrity. The same applies to most corporations and many businesses. Legislative and self-regulating bodies are often self protecting, evasive and shamelessly lenient to their members.
A robust and free ranging system of external investigation and whistleblowing is often the only way large institutions are held to public scrutiny and account. Current Law Commission proposals criminalise these investigative activities across an extensive array of issues and activities - in both public and private spheres.
Recently revealed scandals such as
HMRC sweetheart deals with accountancy firm Goldman Sachs, MOD's cover up of the failure of Warrior armoured vehicles, details of EDF's deal with the government over Hinkley Point, overcharging by contractors on the Government's Work Programme ....... anything deemed to be "sensitive economic information" will be subject to the new 'Secrecy Laws" and subject to a 700% increase in prison sentence up to 14 years.
With increasing likelihood of NHS privatisation deals, can we risk these details being held secret under such threats?
In an ultimate act of cynicism, the closing date for the consultation is May 3rd. .... World Press Freedom Day. Two fingers, anyone?
