Home Office hits back at ex-MI5 chief's 'police state' warning

The Home Office has hit back against a warning by the former head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington, that the Government risks creating a police state by eroding civil liberties to combat terrorism.

Dame Stella accused ministers of interfering with people's privacy and playing straight into the hands of terrorists by "frightening people" in order to be able to pass new laws.

Her comments in an interview with a Spanish newspaper came as the Home Office prepares to publish plans to expand state surveillance, with powers for the police and security services to monitor email, telephone and internet activity.

"Since I have retired I feel more at liberty to be against certain decisions of the Government, especially the attempt to pass laws which interfere with people's privacy," Dame Stella said.

"It would be better that the Government recognised that there are risks, rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state."

But the Home Office said that any new surveillance measures would be "proportionate".

"The Government has been clear that, where surveillance or data collection will impact on privacy, they should only be used where it is necessary and proportionate," a spokesman said.

"The key is to strike the right balance between privacy, protection and sharing of personal data. More

No Kissing in UK