International Law

Jacqui Smith: more weasel words about the hrassment of innocent photgraphers

More weasel words from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith about the harassment of innocent photographers:

20 Apr 2009 : Column 27

Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): Can I seek an assurance from my right hon. Friend that the circumstances that led to the photographs being taken in Downing street do not lead to further pressures on the rights of photographers, both professionals and amateurs, to take photographs in this country, especially as this event coincided with an incident in the past few days where somebody was allegedly challenged by a police officer for taking photographs of a bus garage? We need to learn lessons from the event and draw together the common-sense work being led by my hon. Friend the Minister for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing to come up with the right code of practice to ensure that photographers can do their jobs and amateurs can take photographs with freedom.

Jacqui Smith: I strongly agree with my hon. Friend, who has met the Minister for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing to discuss his concerns. I see no reason why the unfortunate events on 8 April should limit the ability of photographers to take photographs, and neither do I believe, as he knows, that some of the

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limits result from recent legislative changes that we have made, as has been suggested. There is more work that we can do to ensure that photographers are clear that their right to take photographs is protected in all cases where it is not causing a specific risk. That is certainly a right that my hon. Friend and I would uphold.

These weasel words from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith provide no clarity or leadership about who or what may, or may not be photographed.

What is she doing to discipline or prosecute those Police Constables, PCSOs, and private security guards etc. who harass innocent photographers and tourists ?

Full post as published by Spy Blog on April 22, 2009 (boomark / email).