MPs back photography rights campaigners

MPs have issued fresh calls for an end to police misuse of anti-terrorism legislation that restricts innocent photographers from pursuing their hobby or profession.

Liberal Democrat MP David Heath yesterday pushed for a debate to be heard on the matter in Parliament, according to an article published by the Independent.

Heath raised the issue in the House of Commons during questions on future business, added the newspaper which has reported on the controversy extensively in recent days.

Heath said police need to be better educated on their use of Section 44 powers under the Terrorism Act.

The newspaper quoted Heath as telling the House: ”It is not satisfactory that people up and down the country are being stopped, are being told that they can’t take photographs, and if they have taken photographs, are asked to delete them from their cameras on the whim, it would appear, of officers.’

The news comes as 48 MPs back a House of Commons motion calling for better education of police officers about the rights of photographers.

The motion was tabled earlier this week by staunch photo rights campaigner Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby.

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