Press greets Home Office redraft of national security bill with scepticism

Industry sources say changes appear not to go far enough amid fears of chilling effect' on journalism

A Home Office attempt to redraft controversial espionage legislation to tackle media concerns about its impact on investigative journalism has been greeted with scepticism across key parts of the industry.

Ministers put down a series of amendments on Thursday aimed at eliminating concerns that the sweeping national security bill could be used to criminalise both reporters and whistleblowers.