Although the British government has said that it will be introducing more airport security systems in the wake of the failed attempt to blow up a passenger plane on Christmas Day, they say that they will have to look closely at the legal issues surrounding the decision. Home Secretary, Alan Johnson has told parliament that the new methods for spotting would be bombers will be in place by the end of the month. Mr. Johnson said that airport staff were already being taught how to detect suspicious behavior and single out passengers who should be subject to higher levels of scrutiny. He also said that all airports would now be required to put into place equipment which is capable of detecting traces of explosive materials on luggage as well as passengers.

Mr. Johnson went on to point out that it was the protection of passengers that was utmost in the government’s mind when implementing the new measures at the country’s airports but that he realised that the question of civil liberty and other issues should also be addressed. Included in the issues to be examined closely are the U.K.’s child pornography laws. Director of Action on Rights for Children, Terri Dowty said that the concerns related to new full-body scanners and the protection of people under the age of eighteen were going to be a very real issue for the government. The new scanners are capable of showing details of the genitals of those passing through them and the U.K. has very strict laws forbidding indecent images of children. Those who are to operate the new scanners will have to undergo checks against the sex offenders’ register.