WRONGS AND RIGHTS
AS the police charged with executing the various warrants against the New States- man, the BBC and certain individuals, Issued in both England and Scotland last week, went about their business, elements of high farce were often to be seen. That they acted courteously was remarked on by those involved — something for which we should all be grateful; but whether they were being used appropriately is a matter of opinion. Mr Duncan Campbell's opinion was that we saw an example of 'an act of revenge by the Government'; Dr Owen told us, more wisely, that 'the state is not entitled to go on a fishing expedition'. And that is certainly how it seemed to many reasonable people throughout the country, who, while earnestly believing that the state has a right — and a duty — to protect secrets which would affect the national interest, find themselves uncomfortable about the often ludicrous and seemingly arbitrary comings and goings of the past days. But why should it be a matter of opinion at all? Should not every citizen know exactly how he stands in relation to the state? That old deceiver, the Official Secrets Act, is once again found wanting, and at Westminster it is abundantly clear that there is all-party support to try to define these matters more precisely. The BBC is in enough of a muddle already without having to consider charging in and out of court trying to find a better under- standing of an area that should never be so obscure in the first place. The Govern- ment's position will not be made any easier on Friday when the House of Commons will debate a private member's bill (brought in by Sir Edward Gardner hardly the most dangerously -radical of men) on human rights, which proposes the wholesale adoption of the European Con- vention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms into United Kingdom law. This would surely muddle things further; but there can be no doubt that it is a popular proposal at the moment. Section two of the Official Sec- rets Act is a bad law. Since few believe that the section is fair, it is not useful in protecting secrets.
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