Jonathan Hall KC warns of people being wrongly investigated and of impact on journalists and thinktanks
Espionage offences in the UK’s new National Security Act are so broadly defined that they “will result in cases of real harm” with people wrongly investigated, according to the first review of state threats legislation.
Jonathan Hall KC, an independent reviewer appointed by the home secretary, said the 2023 law had to be monitored against “misuse and overreach” because it could extend into politics, journalism, protest and other day-to-day activity.
“It is unavoidable that national security legislation hoists a flag for police involvement in broad reaches of human endeavour, with the risk of damaging mistakes by investigators and unjustified suspicion being cast on lawful activity,” Hall wrote in a report laid before parliament.
“Unless exceptionally well exercised, the UK’s novel and wide-ranging powers will result in cases of real harm where an individual is wrongly arrested or investigated, however well-intentioned,” he added.
