Chris Philp

Chris Philp

Conservative — Croydon South

Speaking in the House of Commons on 13 November 2024

Debate

Facial Recognition: Police Use

Contribution

I thank the hon. Lady for giving way; I am looking forward to this debate and to concluding it for the Opposition later. On the question of changing the burden of proof or undermining the concept that someone is innocent until proven guilty, the technology absolutely does not change that. What it does is give the police a reason to stop somebody and check their identity to see whether they are the person wanted for a criminal offence. It certainly does not provide evidence on which a conviction might be secured. In fact, it is no different from the police stopping someone because they are suspicious of them, and it is a lot more accurate than stop and search, about which I am sure the hon. Lady has views. It is simply a tool to enable the police to stop somebody and check their identity to see whether they are the person who is wanted. It certainly does not undermine the very important principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

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