The government’s proposals to allow public bodies access to phone and email records have been put on hold until the next session of Parliament at the earliest.

It would have extended surveillance powers, which are currently restricted to the police, the intelligence agencies, Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue.

Civil servants in Health, Trade and Industry, Transport, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, would have all had access to email, phone and text records.

Home Secretary David Blunkett is postponing the Bill to allow for further discussions. 

The Tories wisely opposed the draft order, but must remain alert.   New plans will be presented to parliament in the Autumn.