Lib Dem MP hits out at police war on photography

Liberal Democrat frontbencher David Heath said people were being stopped "on the whim" of officers from taking photos under anti-terror laws.

This included such locations as St Paul's Cathedral, Christ Church and even a fish and chip shop in Chatham, he said.

A cross-party group of MPs added their weight to the issue this week, signing a Commons motion calling on police to "recognise that the joy photography and happy snapping brings to citizens and tourists alike should not be inhibited."

During questions on future business Mr Heath said: "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 police officers."

"These are not prime terrorist activities and I do think the police need some education in the very, very strong powers that we give them in this house to make sure they are not used improperly."

Commons Leader Harriet Harman told Mr Heath he could raise the matter with Home Secretary Alan Johnson in Home Office questions next week.