Bugged by failure to act on wiretaps

My revelation that Britain’s security services allegedly tapped Ian Paisley certainly caused a bit of a stir.

It seems his son Ian Paisley Jr, also an MP, got the wrong end of the stick and thought I was claiming Tony Blair had authorised the tap. Blair only told me that he’d been informed by the outgoing Interception of Communications Commissioner Paisley was tapped in the past.

Paisley Jr told journalists: “We knew there was a strong possibility tapping went on and like everyone my father was cautious on his phone for that reason. But if it did happen, it’s a very serious breach of convention and I want to know exactly what happened, when

This week I visited a remarkable man with a short time to live. Julian Smith was my speechwriter. On my last day as DPM, he gave me a book of the speeches we wrote. I wasn’t good with words but Julian gave my thoughts a better voice. He may not be here much longer. But he’ll always be on my bookshelf and

my mind.

and under whose watch.” Paisley Jr has promised to ask questions in Parliament to find out who was responsible.

Under the Wilson Doctrine which prevents members of the Commons and Lords being tapped by the police and security services, Parliament must be told at the earliest opportunity if a breach has taken place.

I can’t see how May can refuse Paisley Jr’s request to uncover the truth. I for one welcome the chance for us to reopen the debate on phone tapping.

But I don’t believe this ban on tapping the phones and communications of MPs and Peers should be absolute.

If an MP or peer is suspected of a crime the authorities should be able to listen in if they have obtained a signed warrant.

But calls between constituents and MPs must never be tapped.

No MP is above the law but members of the public deserve to have their privacy protected.

QUESTIONS Ian Paisley Jr