Section 44 revoked

So after being used incorrectly multiple times the infamous section 44 of the Terrorism Act that allows officers to stop and search without suspicion in designated areas has been partially revoked by the Home Office. Of course this has all been done out of the freedom to liberty we can expect from our New Coalition Overlords and has nothing to do with that pesky European Court of Human Rights refusing an appeal that declared section 44 illegal and a breach of Article 8 rights.

Wait am I being serious Theresa May's own statement starts with

"The Government cannot appeal this judgment – although we would not have done so had we been able. We have always been clear in our concerns about these powers, and they will be included as part of our review of counter-terrorism legislation."

So it would have been dropped regardless? Well it would be nice to think so. That said section 44 still applies to searches of vehicles, but changes are being made to when searches can be done. All in all it's much better and should prevent petty abuse particularly when applied to photographers.