Clegg Says U.K. Coalition Must Rethink Data Bill

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the U.K. government must reconsider plans to allow police and intelligence agencies to monitor phone calls and e-mail traffic, triggering a possible spat with Prime Minister David Cameron’s Tories.

“The coalition government needs to have a fundamental rethink about this legislation,” Clegg, who leads the minority Liberal Democrats in the administration, said in an e-mailed statement, citing concerns over the scope of the legislation and possible infringements of civil liberties. “We cannot proceed with this bill and we have to go back to the drawing board.”