Draconian anti-spy bill that risks jailing journalists to be reviewed
A DRACONIAN anti-spy bill that risks jailing journalists is to be reviewed, The Sun can reveal.
The Home Secretary Suella Braverman has ordered the scope of the National Security Bill should be amended.
A planned update of the Official Secrets Act would see members of the Press jailed for up to 14 years if they handle or publish secret government documents.
Dozens of Sun scoops would never have been printed under the clampdown.
Ministers think sensitive stories — even if in the national interest — may assist foreign spies.
The Official Secrets Act was last updated in 1989 and the Home Office argues it is no longer tough enough to fight the “discernible and very real threat posed by state threats”.
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Tory peer Lord Black last week said the new bill would have a “chilling effect” on investigative journalism.
Home Office minister Andrew Sharpe said “the Government does not believe the Bill does criminalise legitimate activity”.
The Bill is due to return to the Commons this month.
Despite tweaks, sources say that a wide-ranging public interest exemption for journalists would not be written in.
