THE new Government is rightly concerned about the big brother legislation enacted by the previous government and while taking action to roll some of it back in the UK once again they seem unable or unwilling to do the same involving far greater 'privacy' threats from the EU.
Provisions contained in the little-known Treaty of Prüm open the door for European governments to automatically search EU-wide DNA profiles, fingerprint data and vehicle registration data. A document dated April 27 says member states will have to comply with the provisions by August 26, 2011.
"While we are delighted that some of the authoritarian measures created by Labour are to be dismantled, it appears that this government is only prepared to protect British citizens from Whitehall, but not from Brussels," UKIP MEP Gerald Batten said.
The London MEP says the Treaty of Prüm regulations draw fresh attention to other EU civil liberties scandals, particularly the European Arrest Warrant.
"It is about time that this government looked at the issues of civil liberties in the round, not with a myopic view based solely on London. This is a golden opportunity to repeal the European Arrest Warrant, and one not to be wasted."
However the likelihood is that any measures that Britain takes will be 'outlawed' by the EU.
ROBERT FEAL-MARTINEZ South Marston
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