Two MPs have won a High Court battle over laws which they say allow the police and security services to "spy on citizens" without proper safeguards.
The government said it "disagreed absolutely" with the court's ruling and would seek to appeal.
David Davis and Tom Watson argued the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act was incompatible with human rights.
It was fast-tracked through Parliament last July, allowing security agencies to gather phone and internet data.
Two High Court judges have now found that the act is "inconsistent with EU law".
The ruling effectively nullifies aspects of the legislation, although that order has been suspended until next March.
Mr Davis, a former Conservative minister and Mr Watson, a civil liberties campaigner who is standing to be Labour's deputy leader, brought the case in conjunction with campaign group Liberty.
It is highly unusual, perhaps unprecedented, for MPs to challenge primary legislation in the courts.
Normally it would be scrutinised in Parliament, but the two MPs say that because the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act was rushed through in days, there was no time for proper parliamentary scrutiny and that this judicial review was their only option.
MP's who actually see sense enought represent the people. No doubt they'll be drummed out of their parties at the first opportunity. Either that or Dave will change it anyway when he renegotiates the EU Human Rights. Did I ever mention that Dave and his ilk do NOT have the peoples interest at heart when renegotiating with the EU? 
The government said it "disagreed absolutely" with the court's ruling and would seek to appeal.
David Davis and Tom Watson argued the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act was incompatible with human rights.
It was fast-tracked through Parliament last July, allowing security agencies to gather phone and internet data.
Two High Court judges have now found that the act is "inconsistent with EU law".
The ruling effectively nullifies aspects of the legislation, although that order has been suspended until next March.
Mr Davis, a former Conservative minister and Mr Watson, a civil liberties campaigner who is standing to be Labour's deputy leader, brought the case in conjunction with campaign group Liberty.
It is highly unusual, perhaps unprecedented, for MPs to challenge primary legislation in the courts.
Normally it would be scrutinised in Parliament, but the two MPs say that because the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act was rushed through in days, there was no time for proper parliamentary scrutiny and that this judicial review was their only option.
MP's who actually see sense enought represent the people. No doubt they'll be drummed out of their parties at the first opportunity. Either that or Dave will change it anyway when he renegotiates the EU Human Rights. Did I ever mention that Dave and his ilk do NOT have the peoples interest at heart when renegotiating with the EU?
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