Investigatory powers bill not fit for purpose, say 200 senior lawyers

Letter to Guardian signed by QCs and leading legal figures says 'snooper's charter' compromises 'fundamental right to privacy and may be illegal'

The investigatory powers bill, which goes before MPs on Tuesday, is not fit for purpose and breaches international standards on surveillance, according to a letter signed by more than 200 senior lawyers.

The legislation acknowledges for the first time the extent of bulk interception and hacking carried out by the government's monitoring agency, GCHQ, and sets out a legal framework with safeguards.