Business people suspected of anti-competitive practices could have their emails and telephone calls intercepted by the Office of Fair Trading under new powers being considered by the government.

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesperson from the Institute of Directors told ePolitix.com, "The IoD emphasises the need for controls on the Office of Fair Trading's proposed monitoring powers. The IoD is strongly opposed to cartels, and supports the OFT's work against them.

"But the proposal to allow the OFT to use covert surveillance, even when the matter is a civil and not a criminal one, must raise concerns. The OFT should be required to seek judicial or quasi-judicial authority in each case, even though that authority would have to be obtained in secret."