Liberty responds to Met Police Commissioner’s speech on expansion of police technology

A speech made today (24 June 2026) by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis announced the expansion of police use of live facial recognition, drones, and AI across London.

In response, Ruth Erhlich, Director of External Relations at Liberty, said:

“The Commissioner is right to point out that the that there should be strong, future proofed legislation with rigorous oversight, accountability and transparency on the use of new surveillance technology – the critical question is why the Metropolitan Police are pushing forward with expansion while that doesn’t yet exist.

“Londoners absolutely have the right to expect that there should be rules that are applied clearly and consistently to how these technologies are used in their city – which is the norm in most countries.

“Until the Government sets out its dedicated legal framework for facial recognition technology, and that framework is properly scrutinised, the Metropolitan Police should be pausing their use of powerful new surveillance tools, not expanding them.”