Politicians scrutinised over Digital Economy Act

The Digital Economy Act contains the controversial 'three strikes' policy

The Digital Economy Act was being passed around like a hot potato during a live debate between the three main UK political parties today, as each was asked to justify the fairness of the legislation.

During the online audio debate, climate change secretary Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrat chief of staff Danny Alexander, and shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt all did their best to blame each other for the Act, which contains the controversial 'three strikes' policy to cut off the internet access of suspected illegal downloaders.

The questions posed ahead of the debate included: "Can you guarantee that, given the recent (very rushed) passing of the Digital Economy Act, those that have received poorly evidenced demands using volume legislation methods (such as ACS:Law and Tilly Bailey Irvine) will have the threat of court action remedied? " and "Why did you pass the Digital Economy Bill without proper debate and consideration of all its implications?"

Speaking on behalf of the Tories, Hunt came out firmly against the Act, agreeing that it was rushed through and pointing to a "light timetable for the last six months" in which it could have been properly debated.

He also cited the absence of a proper House of Commons scrutiny stage, allowing a small group of MPs to thoroughly dissect the proposals.

Hunt referred to the most contentious parts of the act - blocking access to certain web sites and cutting off the internet access of those accused of illegal downloading - as areas of significant change that merited further scrutiny.

"I think it was an absolute disgrace," he said. "I think it could have really done with that extra debate."

Hunt also attempted to justify the Tories' actions in voting the bill through, by stating that they were put in an "invidious position" of either striking down the bill, even though it contained some aspects they supported, such as the video games certification, or letting the whole thing go through.

It was then the Liberal Democrats' turn to distance themselves from the Act. "We pushed to strike out the provisions on piracy and those that let internet users be cut off," Alexander said. "We'd want to repeal that."

Alexander also played down Hunt's accusations that Lib Dem peers could have blocked the bill during the wash-up, and that the piracy provisions were a Lib Dem amendment.

"They were put forward by [Lib Dem peer Lord] Tim Clement-Jones in an effort to improve a rotten bill," Alexander said.

For Labour's part, Miliband evaded the questions posed by voters, and instead focused on repeating the need for a balance between internet freedoms and funding the creativity of the music, video and software industries.

His only response to the concerns was that there would be another chance to debate the issues, and that either the Tories or Lib Dems could have previously blocked the Act.

The online audio debate, which was presented by The Guardian and campaign group 38 Degrees, was designed to engender proper debate away from the TV cameras between the three main political parties on the most important issues, as voted for by the people.