Watch Prof Diane Rasmussen and Nathan Allonby walk through Newcastle upon Tyne city centre on a variable spring afternoon as they discuss the technologies, politics, and dangers of CCTV and facial recognition equipment installed across the UK and around the world. Does this equipment genuinely increase public safety and security, or is that narrative being used to conceal a more nefarious, dystopian state agenda? Nathan explains why he believes it is the latter.
Nathan of NO CCTV has been an activist since 1988, campaigning for democracy and against state control and surveillance. In 2013, he and Brian Gerrish, UK Column’s founder, presented at a conference in Prague on these topics; a recording of their presentation is on YouTube.
The 4 May 2026 edition of UK Column News featured Nathan speaking at a Newcastle upon Tyne protest against CCTV and facial recognition technology (starting at 42:42). The popularity of the news segment, and NO CCTV’s plans for similar protests across the UK, led to this interview.
Nathan and NO CCTV are encouraging UK Column viewers to help them oppose what they describe as a longstanding state surveillance agenda and the “AI panopticon system of state surveillance” proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Those interested can contact him via email at nathan@no-cctv.org.uk.
