Reported back

The Justice and Electoral Committee has reported back [PDF] on the Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill. As expected, they have ignored submitters and endorsed Labour's surrender, putting in place a prospective regime which requires warrants for trespass on property but not privacy, with a six month sunset clause (which will be repealed the moment it becomes a problem after the election). While surveillance is not declared retrospectively lawful, convictions already entered will not be able to be challenged. So, people convicted on the basis of unlawful evidence will remain in jail, while those unconvicted will be able to challenge the lawfulness of any video evidence against them. This isn't justice, so much as a temporal lottery. Yes, its better than the original version of the bill - but not by much, and it would still be better if it was not passed at all.