Commenting on Charles Clarke’s statement Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti said:

'The Home Secretary is right to show respect for the House of Lords damning ruling. However, temporary restrictions upon a suspect’s liberty are only legitimate as long as a criminal charge and trial are in prospect. We urge the removal of the legal bar on intercepted material being used in trials.'

Adherence to the rule of law should not be a game of cat and mouse. The Government should not swap one human rights “opt out” for another.'