SIR – The Communications Data Bill (‘snooper’s charter’) was a bad idea when originally suggested. If enacted it would allow “the authorities” to intercept everybody’s e-mails and phone calls. It would represent a very substantial step towards intrusive surveillance and hence a significant loss in individual civil liberties.

The deplorable murder of Drummer Lee Rigby has sparked demands that the snooper’s charter be enacted as a way of increasing the security of our state from terrorism. Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are presently being pilloried for their resistance to the enactment. Clarity of thinking at this point would help and the following need to be borne in mind: 1 The security services can already gain access to the communications of suspects by applying for a court order. A total of 500,000 intercepts are already granted annually.

2 Eric Pickles, the Communities Minister, has acknowledged that a Communications Data Act would not have stopped the Woolwich murder.

Nick Clegg, Sir Menzies Campbell and Liberal Democrats generally are right in insisting that our civil liberties should not be traded away for some spurious gain in national security. I am delighted that my party is taking a principled stand on this issue.

John Cole, Oakroyd Terrace, Baildon