Ahead of ‘Spycops’ conference, Ellenor Hutson tells of how her environmental activism saw her mysteriously blacklisted from an industry she’d never worked in

“THE THING that sticks with me is that he was the person we wanted him to be. In our wildest dreams, he was who we’d want to attract to the movement.”

CommonSpace brings you the news so you don’t have to go looking for it

TODAY’S INSTALMENT (Wednesday 8 March) of the the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes: Wikileaks allege UK involvement in use of spy software targeting household technology, Brexit Bill returns to Commons after resounding defeat in Lords and International Women’s Day.

News: Wikileaks allege UK involvement in use of spy software targeting household technology

Joanna Cherry MP QC says UK surveillance powers have gone ‘further than any other Western democracy’

THE UK has gone “further than any other Western democracy” in its extension of surveillance powers, according to SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC.

The comments were made during a panel discussion held by Scottish PEN, an organisation which works to defend freedom of speech, after a screening of documentary film The Haystack, which explores the UK Investigatory Powers (IP) Bill. 

Olivia Cappuccini is the founder of Scenes of Reason, an independent media outlet which has produced a documentary investigating the Investigatory Powers Bill (IP Bill) and the affects that it may have on the wider public

Scottish PEN to showcase a screening of The Haystack documentary at CCA on 17 August

SCOTTISH PEN, an organisation of activists who campaign for freedom of speech, have organised a screening of The Haystack documentary, an investigation into 21st century surveillance in the UK and the drafted Investigatory Powers (IP) Bill which will support it. on Wednesday 17 August at the CCA in Glasgow.

Scottish PEN's Nik Williams asks what the era of Theresa May as prime minister will mean for civil liberties

THE swift accession of the surveillacrat Theresa May is now complete. Following her stewardship of the Home Office and the stepping aside of Andrea Leadsom as a leadership challenger, Theresa May has taken over the role of prime minister of the UK and all defenders of civil liberties should be deeply concerned.

Scottish PEN's Nik Williams takes a look at the latest developments with the UK Government's controversial IP Bill

WHILE we at Scottish PEN are avid fans of correct spelling and grammatical clarity, we do not believe that it is the end of any endeavour, be it fiction, poetry, journalism or in fact policy making. 

Bill faces changes as predecessor is brought before EU court

THE Investigatory Powers Bill (IP Bill) is facing proposed amendments that could curb powers allowing police forces to seize data and monitor individuals without a warrant.