Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024

22 Interception and examination of communications: Members of Parliament etc

(1) Section 26 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (interception and examination of communications: Members of Parliament etc) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2)—

(a) the words “the Prime Minister” become paragraph (a);

(b) after that paragraph insert “, or

(b) if conditions A and B are met, an individual (other than that Secretary of State) designated by the Prime Minister under this section.”

(3) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) Condition A is that the Prime Minister is unable to decide whether to give approval under subsection (2), due to incapacity or inability to access secure communications.

(2B) Condition B is that the Secretary of State or a senior official considers that there is an urgent need for the decision (as to whether to give such approval) to be made.

(2C) The Prime Minister may designate up to five individuals under this section.

(2D) The Prime Minister may designate an individual under this section only if the individual—

(a) holds the office of Secretary of State, and

(b) has the necessary operational awareness to decide whether to give approvals under subsection (2).

(2E) A designation under this section ends—

(a) when the individual ceases to hold the office of Secretary of State, or

(b) if earlier, when revoked by the Prime Minister.

(2F) In this section “senior official” means a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service.”