British Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly is considering lifting a 40-year-old ban on tapping the telephones of Parliament members for security reasons.
Defense Secretary John Reid said in a television program the lifting of the ban, put into effect by former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, was suggested by Swinton Thomas, interception of communications commissioner, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Reid himself is opposed to the idea, which comes under a proposal to expand the powers of the British intelligence agency following the London terrorist bombings last July, the report said.
"In a democracy it is extremely important that members of Parliament can operate without the suspicion that what they say on the telephone can be collected by the security services and relayed to the government," opposition Parliament member said.
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