Tory MPs keen for changes on secret courts bill as Lib Dem grassroots clash with Clegg

The committee of MPs considering the Justice and Security Bill was sitting today, but outside the group of loyal MPs scrutinising the Bill line by line, moves are still afoot from those who oppose part II, which enables secret court hearings.

I understand that there is now a group of Conservative MPs keen to support further amendments being considered by Andrew Tyrie, which I covered on Coffee House last week, including Douglas Carswell and Peter Bone. Tyrie says:

‘The Joint Committee on Human Rights are right to call for more judicial discretion, so-called equality of arms and a much narrower definition of “sensitive” information. In additional it’s crucial that the Bill contain a sunset clause and that the Wright Committee proposal for the reform of the ISC be implemented. The Bill was in a shocking state when it was first introduced in the Lords. Their Lordships have done some good rescue work on it, but there’s a lot more to do.’