"A MP taking photographs in public has been stopped and searched under Terrorism Act powers.According to Croydon Guardian, Andrew Pelling, MP for Croydon Central, aroused suspicion when he was taking pictures of a cycle path in his constituency as he was collecting evidence about the problems caused to cyclists by maintenance works.
Despite showing his Commons pass, the MP was questioned and searched by two police officers. They issued him with a stop-and-search notice before letting him go." Source BJP 8 January 2009
I reported on the 9th January about the arrest of photographer Reuben Powell who had been held in detention for almost five hours before being released on the involvement of MP Simon Hughes. The loss of liberty to take photographs is a very serious emerging "social disaster" it is verging on a totalitarian "Orwellian" state. It is clear that as we are in a heightened security world we must exercise caution. The MI5 "Threat levels advisory" states "The current threat level is assessed as SEVERE" (as of 4th July 2007). Does that mean for a member of the public let alone a MP taking photographs of a cycle lane as way of example of a “long-neglected bicycle and pedestrian route” is to be considered a potential act of terrorism, I think not but it must be clear what is and what is not permissible to photograph, especially for the Police who have to enforce the law. The Police are stretched to breaking point as it stands with gun, knife and drug related crimes.
In many countries around the world it is generally not permitted to photograph Airports, Train stations and Government buildings without permission. It would appear that this is a sensible precaution during these dark times, but to extend this to "cycle lanes" is one step too far! The point I make is that there must be "proper guidelines as to what is classified non permissible photography.
I feel that common sense must now prevail, there have been too many cases in past months of innocent people going about their business, such as members of the public, photographers, press and politicians being either stopped or arrested under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (see "Liberty" for a legal explanation)
Author: Nigel Rumble
