MP loses phone tap battle

He has received a ruling from the Information Tribunal upholding a decision not to clarify the status of the Wilson Doctrine or release details of how many MPs have had their communications intercepted since its introduction.

Mr Baker, who first submitted a Freedom of Information request on the matter in January, 2005, asked both whether there had been a change in the policy of the Wilson Doctrine since 1966 of which the House of Commons had not yet been informed, and also for details of the number of MPs who have had their telephones tapped or been subject to other intrusive surveillance.

The Wilson Doctrine, introduced by then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, guaranteed that there would be no tapping of MPs' homes.

The doctrine also established that MPs would be told if it was found necessary to breach the ban.

Said Mr Baker: 'This is a disappointing outcome to a long-running attempt of mine to bring some clarity to the concept of the Wilson Doctrine and what it actually means in practice.

'The Doctrine allows for MPs phones to be tapped, providing that Parliament is subsequently informed.

'However, in the 41 years since the Doctrine has been adopted, Parliament has never been informed of any phone tapping.

'I am not suggesting that my telephone has been bugged but it would be hard to believe some MPs have not had their phones bugged.

'The Doctrine is not worth the paper it has been written on.'