New laws that would increase the State’s powers to monitor emails and internet records will lead to "general purpose surveillance on the entire nation," it was claimed.
The Queen’s Speech confirmed that the Government will introduce legislation allowing the police and intelligence agencies “to access vital communications data under strict safeguards to protect the public.”
The proposed laws, to be published in draft form, have been branded a “snooper’s charter” by critics including Conservative backbenchers.
David Cameron told MPs that the contentious changes are necessary to ensure the security agencies can keep up with terrorists and criminals using modern communication technology.
The Prime Minister told the Commons the surveillance changes would only cover the telephone numbers and email addresses that subjects contact, and not the contents of their communications.
He insisted that the measures are needed to protect the UK from terrorism, and said he would rather err on the side of caution when it comes to national security.
“Of course let’s consult, but I don’t want to be the Prime Minister standing at this despatch box saying 'We could have done more’” after a terrorist attack, he said.
Despite Government promises that the plans will be subject to extensive consultation and compromise, the proposals still faced widespread criticism.
David Davis, a senior Conservative backbencher, said that the new surveillance rules would make little difference to their intended targets, instead affecting innocent members of the public.
Terrorists and criminals will find it “easy and cheap” to avoid surveillance of their records, by using specialist websites or temporary mobile phones.
“But if you’re an ordinary citizen it is not easy and cheap to avoid,” he told the Commons.
“We are going to create something which will not be effective against terrorism but which will be a general purpose surveillance on the entire nation.”
Legal experts also questioned Mr Cameron’s assurances that the contents of communications will remain secret.
Andrew Sharpe of LexisPLS, a legal information firm, said: “Many of the technologies required will necessarily give the relevant authorities the ability to see content of communications as well as the communications data the Government states is the target.”
Nick Pickles, director of the civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch, said the authorities already have the powers they need to thwart terrorism or crime.
“If someone is suspected of plotting an attack the powers already exist to tap their phone, read their email and follow them on the street.” he said.
“Instead of scaremongering, the Home Office should come forward and engage with the debate about how we improve public safety, rather than pursue a policy that will indiscriminately spy on everyone online while the real threats are driven underground and escape surveillance.”
The Speech said the Communications Data Bill will be “subject to scrutiny of draft clauses”.
That follows a revolt by Lib Dem ministers including Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, who insisted that the Home Office’s original plans be watered down.
Lib Dem sources last night insisted that the party’s ministers would block any laws that emerge from the drafting process which they judge do not include adequate protections for individual privacy.