Internet inventor slams plans to monitor the web

New legislation is expected in next month's Queen's Speech. Credit: Reuters

The inventor of the world wide web says highly controversial plans to let intelligence agencies to monitor the calls, emails, texts and website visits of every person in the UK should be scrapped.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee said the government plans were "dangerous" and any new laws would lead to a "destruction of human rights".

New legislation is expected in next month's Queen's Speech.

It would enable GCHQ to access information on demand without a warrant.

Speaking to the Guardian, the British computer engineer said there has not been enough discussion on how the sensitive data could be safely stored.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee advises the Government on how to make public data more accessible Credit: Reuters

The Home Secretary Theresa May defended the proposals after they faced fierce criticism from backbench MPs and civil liberties groups.

She insisted that suspected terrorists, paedophiles and serious criminals would be targeted by intelligence officials rather than ordinary people.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee added: