UK rules out government database of emails and phones

Opposition parties have strongly criticised the idea, saying officials had shown they could not be trusted with people's confidential information after a series of embarrassing data-loss scandals.

Civil rights groups say it would be a massive invasion of privacy.

"The big problem is that the government has built a culture of surveillance which goes far beyond counter-terrorism and serious crime," said Conservative home affairs spokesman Chris Grayling.

"Too many parts of government have too many powers to snoop on innocent people and that's really got to change."

(Reporting by Frank Prenesti; Editing by Steve Addison)