Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Derby City Council used RIPA to spy on local paper reporter's meeting with staff and 'scupper' investigation



  • Council used RIPA to OK surveillance of reporter meeting sources in cafe 
  • Derby City Council joins four police forces in admitting RIPA use against a journalist
  • RIPA intended to tackle 'serious crime' but used here to 'protect council's interests'
A former regional newspaper journalist believes a council spied on her meeting with local authority staff under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act in order to "scupper" her investigations.
Two Derby City Council employees watched the Derby Telegraph's local government correspondent Kirsty Green meeting four current and former council employees in a popular Starbucks coffee shop.