A surveillance society simply does not work, says Mick Meaney – but it is expensive.

Mohammed Atif Siddique, a 21-year-old student from Scotland, was found guilty on September 18 of two charges under the Terrorism Act 2000 and one under the Terrorism Act 2006. The conviction demonstrates how far democratic rights have been eroded and legal norms abandoned, writes Niall Green, with Siddique convicted even though he has done nothing that breaches common law or endangered the lives of others.