Report Reveals UK Police Used Anti-Terror Laws to Reach Reporters Sources

British police stretched counterterrorism legislation to obtain the confidential sources of journalists, the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IOCCO) said in a report.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — British police forces have made over 600 applications to obtain journalists' confidential sources over a three-year period using anti-terror laws, a report published on Wednesday by the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IOCCO) said.

According to the report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner Sir Anthony May, 19 police forces sought communications data in 34 investigations into suspected sources' leaks.

We have just published our journalist inquiry report http://t.co/PMQyjcXjnB

— iocco (@iocco_oversight) 4 февраля 2015

"The current Home Office Code of Practice (and the recently revised draft Code said to provide protection for sensitive professions) do not provide adequate safeguards to protect journalistic sources or prevent unnecessary or disproportionate intrusions," the report said.

In the report, Sir Anthony May also recommends that police forces seek permission from a judge if they want to retrieve communications data from journalists.

The IOCCO is a watchdog independent from the British government and parliament that reviews the interception of communications and the disclosure of communications data in conjunction with the 2000 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. It prepares a report for the British Prime Minister every half year.

Very pleased the Prime Minister has accepted our inquiry recc re judicial authority for comms data requests to protect journalistic sources

— iocco (@iocco_oversight) 4 февраля 2015