The Guardian reports that the charity commission will be given powers to use covert informants, track individuals and obtain email and telephone records under controversial legislation dubbed a "snooper's charter" by civil liberties groups.

Orders laid before parliament last Friday will include the commission in the list of public bodies given powers under the Regulation of Investigative Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

The orders will allow the commission to mount "directed surveillance operations" - monitoring people's movements - use "covert human intelligence sources" - undercover agents and informers - and to obtain limited information about email, phone and postal communications, for the purpose of preventing and detecting crime.

Chris Stalker, head of campaigns at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said:

While NCVO welcome measures that will ensure greater trust, confidence and the integrity of charities, the use of RIPA by the charity commission does cause us some concern.

While the commission's power to investigate is crucial to its work, we will be monitoring the use of this new legislation closely to ensure it remains proportionate to its role as regulator of the charitable sector.