Tories failing to curb town hall snoops after they back track on plans to scrap 'intrusive' powers

By Jack Doyle

PUBLISHED: 00:46 GMT, 21 March 2012 | UPDATED: 00:46 GMT, 21 March 2012

Ministers have backtracked on a pledge to scrap ‘intrusive’ powers that allow town hall bureaucrats to barge into homes and businesses unannounced.

Currently, thousands of council snoopers may enter buildings without a warrant and search for information.

Their powers are the result of 1,043 laws, including measures allowing them to check on unregulated hypnotism and to examine eggs held in a refrigerator.

In opposition, the Conservatives promised to scale back the powers so they could be used only with a warrant and in cases involving criminality or public safety.

But instead of instantly repealing them, they are to launch a two-year review – and then only remove laws that are ‘unnecessary or inappropriate’.

Critics accused the Home Office of trying to kick the issue into the long grass.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117957/Tories-failing-curb...