AP Rights WatchPhotographers will continue to face possible Section 44 anti-terror stops despite today’s European court ruling, according to the Home Office.

A Home Office spokesman said that it is still too early to say whether the government will issue fresh guidelines to police forces while it seeks legal advice over the implications of the European Court of Human Rights’ decision in Strasbourg.

Earlier today the Home Office said it plans to lodge an appeal.

‘We are still considering the decision,’ the spokesman said later.

Asked what policy the nation’s police forces should adopt in the meantime, the spokesman told Amateur Photographer: ‘It is up to individual police forces to seek legal advice in the interim.’

He claimed that the anti-terrorism legislation continues to be legally enforceable.

The Home Office has three months to lodge its appeal.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) has welcomed the court’s decision, along with others in the profession.

A BFP spokesman said: ‘It reinforces the view that people should not be stopped and searched without very good reason.

‘It effectively confirms that people should not be stopped and searched while taking photographs, whether they are a professional or amateur photographer.’

RELATED ARTICLES

365 photographers sign Sunday Telegraph plea letter

PHOTO CLIMATE ECHOES WARTIME BRITAIN?

Photographers should carry ID

Amateur arrested after taking pics in London suburb

AP meets counter-terrorism minister in Parliament

Photographer to complain against City police

Police crackdown on City photographers

Watch a recent More4 News report HERE

Watch a recent London Tonight report HERE

ITN film crew stopped while covering photo story

Terror swoop photographer lodges complaint against police

Photography in public campaign: Video by AP news editor

MP lodges new Commons petition

The Independent’s photo rights article

Sunday Telegraph interviews AP

Top Gear photographer blasts Met

Christmas lights terror stop

Photography in public campaign escalates

BBC photographer in terror stop

Police apology after Christmas lights fiasco

Jet ski photographer files complaint against police

Home Office publishes new guidance

Amateur photographer arrested

Terror police and photography: Know your rights

Met issues photography guidelines

Amateur Photographer magazine to help draft anti-terror guidance

Carlile report criticises terror law

Photographers ‘guilty’ until proved innocent

Lawyer speaks out about terror law threat

AP magazine requests stops and search data

Police stop and search powers to be cut

Government issues stop and search pledge.

Photographers face wider anti-terror curbs