Clegg hints that plan to snoop on emails and web could be watered down

Nick Clegg today promised that plans for the state to monitor all calls, emails, texts and website visits will not be “rammed through”.

Amid a growing backlash against the proposals, the Deputy Prime Minister gave the first hint that the plan to allow the GCHQ spy listening centre to access details of communications traffic in “real time” and without a warrant could be watered down.

He told BBC radio: “It’s important that people should be reassured that we as a government are not going to ram something through Parliament.

“We will make sure people are consulted, not only on the new proposals but whether existing powers are sufficient as they are.”

However, he added: “We are prepared to look at any safeguards which will make sure that people feel comforted that these proposals are not the draconian proposals that they have been portrayed as being.”

Aides played down suggestions that the plans would be dropped entirely, but Mr Clegg’s comments came as Labour leader Ed Miliband said the Government had “spectacularly mishandled” the announcement and called on David Cameron to “get a grip”.

Figures in Mr Clegg’s own party have led the backlash against the proposals, fearing civil liberties will be torn up in the process. Lord Macdonald, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The proposals are ill-considered, they are disproportionate and I think it’s essentially a rehash of the Labour government’s proposals.

“The security services need to reflect on their need for public support in their work — that will be threatened if law-abiding people feel that their communications are going to be snooped upon.”

Senior Lib-Dem peer Lord Oakeshott said: “The technology has changed but Big Brother always wants to watch or intercept you.”

Home Secretary Theresa May has defended the legislation — expected in next month’s Queen’s Speech — as vital to catch terrorists, paedophiles and serious criminals.