The only thing that remains of the Snooper’s Charter is unlikely to need legislation

Even though Nick Clegg made a big song and dance this morning on LBC about blocking the Snooper’s Charter, there is still a bit of confusion in Westminster about whether he has actually driven the fatal stake through its heart. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said this morning that discussions are still ‘ongoing’, while some of those fighting the legislation on the Tory benches were a little worried that what the Deputy Prime Minister actually said was that he was killing bits of the Bill that upset people the most, not the whole thing.

This is what he told Nick Ferrari this morning:

‘Well look, what people have dubbed the “snooper’s charter”, I just have to be clear with you, that’s not going to happen. In other words idea the government would pass a law which means there will be a record kept of every website you visit, of any – who you communicate with on social media sites… that’s not going to happen, and it’s certainly not going to happen with Liberal Democrats in government.