[bbfan1991]

The hacking group Anonymous is alleged to have blocked access to the Home Office website, apparently in response to government plans for e-mail surveillance.

The website has been blocked; earlier a message was posted blaming a "high volume of traffic".

A message on Twitter claiming to be from Anonymous said it was responsible.

The tweet said: "For your draconian surveillance proposals!"

Earlier in the week the Home Office said it planned to "legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows" to bring in email surveillance measures.

Ministers say change is needed to help fight crime and terrorism, but critics warn it is an attack on privacy.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said on Tuesday the government would not "ram legislation through Parliament" to increase monitoring of emails and web usage, Nick Clegg has said.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We are aware of some reports that the Home Office website may be the subject of an online protest.

"We have put all potential measures in place and will be monitoring the situation very closely."

"If a successful denial of service attempt does occur tonight, we will liaise with the technical team and update as necessary," he added.

[Jords]

Anonymous