Tameside Euro-MP Chris Davies is joining his European Liberal colleagues to defeat legislation that could reduce internet freedom. The Lib Dem group in the European Parliament holds the swing 84 votes to ensure that ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) will not make it through the Brussels based assembly.

The law was intended to prevent illegal downloading and copying of films and music but concerns were expressed by free speech campaigners that ACTA could have been used by Government’s to crack down on everyday internet use.

European internet users have been lobbying MEPs against the proposed new law that could have affected the way Tameside people surf the web.

Said Davies, “I have had thousands of emails from all over the North West about ACTA and its potential impact on ordinary internet users.

“Piracy of copyrighted work is wrong but there are better ways of fighting it than making criminals out of everyone who goes online.

“I’m pleased that my political colleagues agree with my constituents that ACTA could have restricted freedom and should be thrown out.”