VERY IMPORTANT! A statement has been issued by Kent Police Commissioner, Ann Barnes, in which she claims the police did NOT request a list of names of the attendees of the fracking debate at Canterbury Christ Church University. The police came out with this denial yesterday, just before a news report went out on BBC SE TV News at 1.30pm. However, the BBC went back to the university and asked them again if the police requested this list and the university stated, unequivocally, that the police did so. Another piece went out tonight on BBC SE TV News to this effect and I have a feeling that the police have changed their story because it may very well have been illegal for them to ask for the list. John McDermott wrote this to me today on Fracking Hell: Julie Wassmer - Im a data protection expert and this request is at best unwarranted and at worse illegal. The IC (information commissioner) would want to know why the data on attendees was being collected and for what purpose and what data would be used for and how long it would be held. If they were to get the list of attendees, Fracking Hell could put in an immediate complaint to the IC ( I volunteer to do this) as I work as a consultant for a registered Data Agency. John, I need to speak to you about this, please, so I will put in a Friend request. I have re-checked the piece from BBC Radio Kent yesterday, the discussion programme I contributed to, which Itsjono Atlast has kindly preserved on Youtube - and Julia George clearly states: Kent Police have confirmed to us at BBC Radio Kent this morning that they asked for a list of names of everyone attending a debate...etc I have added this link below for all to hear. In the meantime here is Ann Barness statement. Stand by for this story to snowball...J x Tuesday, December 16, 2014 posted at 13:08 | 563 STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO GUARDIAN ARTICLE ON CANTERBURY FRACKING DEBATE UPDATE: I have today (Wednesday 17 December) met with the Chief Constable, Alan Pughsley, as I do every week. During the meeting I was able to gain clarity over Kent Police’s approach to the debate about fracking held at Canterbury Christ Church University last month. I have been assured that the approach made to the organisers was to assess the potential interest in a meeting about an issue that has attracted considerable attention and some significant disorder in other parts of the country. I am told that organisers were asked three things - how many people the venue could hold, whether private security was being provided and if the university was keeping a record of those attending. The Chief Constable assures me that any event over such an emotive issue would be subject routinely to a similar initial assessment on the grounds of ensuring public safety. That assessment was made and the only policing considered necessary was the attendance of Chief Inspector Steve Barlow as the drilling applications are in the Dover area where he is district commander. Although I am advised that a list was not requested, I asked the Chief Constable, from a hypothetical point of view, what information acquired by the police can be kept. I know that people in Kent are concerned about this and I am reassured to be told that information acquired must only be retained in accordance with the Data Protection Act and if information is retained it is subject to regulation by the Information Commissioner. Was the action taken by Kent Police reasonable? I hope those who have contacted my office will believe that to be the case and will be happy with the actions I have taken. *** Tuesday 16 December: I would like to thank those who have emailed me and contacted the office concerning the Guardian report that Kent Police asked for a list of members of the public who were due to attend an open debate at Canterbury Christ Church University. I have asked Kent Police to gather all the necessary information about the actions taken and I shall be meeting the Chief Constable tomorrow (Wednesday 17 December). Personally, had I known the debate was taking place I would very much have liked to have attended. It is a subject that I am interested in and would like to have learned much more about. Also, I live in the east of the county where I am aware that people have concerns. This is an important matter and during my meeting with the Chief Constable I shall be seeking clarity about the approach that Kent Police took towards this meeting in Canterbury and that which it is reported to have taken.” https://youtube/watch?v=19SzyqdDFPY&feature=youtu.be
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:15:59 +0000
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