EVIDENCE gathered from telephone taps or seized e-mails could be routinely used in criminal trials, Britain’s most senior law officer suggested yesterday.

Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney-General, appeared to back such a move prior to the results of a government review.

His remarks follow the support expressed by Tony Blair in March for intercepted material to be made available to prosecutors as part of measures against antisocial behaviour. Mr Blair said that there was a case for “intrusive surveillance” against people suspected of less serious crimes. Telephone taps can be authorised only under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act against those adults whom police believe to be likely to commit an offence carrying a sentence of at least three years.

Lord Goldsmith, speaking at a conference on international terrorism held by the International Criminal Law Association, said: “As a prosecutor I will always wish to use cogent, admissible evidence. And on that ground, there must be a case for intercept to be admissible.” Its use would require “careful consideration”.

He said he was not in a position to announce what the review of the use of intercept in criminal trials would conclude.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• A vicar’s wife: ‘There is no one to fight for us’
• Every little helps at the supermarket
• Ugg or Fitflop? The battle of the boots