Press freedom is not under threat from new law, No. 10 insists

Press freedom is not under threat from new law to curb foreign spies, No. 10 insists

• The National Security Bill will not affect press freedom, Downing Street said
• Home Secretary Suella Braverman reportedly ordered changes to the bill 

Press freedom will not be affected by a law aimed at reining in foreign spies, Downing Street insisted yesterday.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has reportedly ordered changes to the National Security Bill because of concerns about its impact on journalism.

But No 10 claimed the legislation, which is going through the House of Lords, already had safeguards to stop reporters being caught out by rules aimed at keeping secret information from foreign powers.

‘This Bill is about ensuring our law enforcement and security services have the tools and powers they need to keep us safe,’ said the Prime Minister’s spokesman. 

Press freedom will not be affected by a law aimed at reining in foreign spies, Downing Street insisted yesterday (file image)

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has reportedly ordered changes to the National Security Bill because of concerns about its impact on journalism

‘To commit an offence of disclosing protected information, the conduct must be done for or on behalf of, or with the intention to benefit a foreign power, and with a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK.

‘So a genuine whistleblower, or public interest journalism, would not meet this bar.’

Asked whether the Bill would be changed to address concerns, Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said the PM ‘would listen carefully to any views’.

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