14/03/2013

Political Campaigner Wins Appeal Over Extremism Database

An 88-year-old political campaigner has been successful in a legal bid to have his details removed from a police extremism database.

Peace protestor John Catt, from Brighton, took his case to the Court of Appeal claiming the retention of data was unlawful.

It is understood that while Mr Catt has taken part in a number of campaigns, he has not engaged in any criminality.

His appeal followed a decision last year at the High Court when judges ruled against his plea to have details of his activities removed from the National Domestic Extremism Database.

They dismissed his judicial review claim, ruling that his right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights was not infringed.

But now, following a hearing at the Court of Appeal in January, Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson, Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Lord Justice McCombe, have allowed Mr Catt's appeal against the earlier decision.

(H)


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