A proposed overhaul to the UK's secrecy laws that seeks to jail journalists and whistle-blowers who leak sensitive government information has been overwhelmed with public consultation submissions from Brits—many of whom are alarmed by the idea of a "modernised Espionage Act."

The Law Commission, which is conducting the review in concert with the Cabinet Office, said that it has now extended the consultation on the protection of official data by a month, with the deadline for submissions from the public moved to May 3.

"Our provisional proposals include greater safeguards for whistle-blowers than under the current laws whilst also ensuring that Britain is protected in the 21st century," claimed law commissioner David Ormerod. "But no final recommendations have been made and before they are, we want as many people as possible to be able to have their say. That’s why we are extending the deadline for responses."

However, the commission—at launch of its public consultation process on plans to replace four Official Secrets Act (1911,1920, 1939, and 1989) with a so-called Espionage Act—didn't make a song-and-dance about its review, preferring instead to spoon feed an "exclusive" to the Telegraph.

Whe quizzed, the Law Commission—which is a statutory, independent body that advises the government on legislative reform—was keen to reiterate that its conclusions were "provisional," adding: "No final recommendations have been made."

Ars asked the government advisors to tell us how often a deadline extension had been applied to a public consultation in the 52-year history of the commission. A spokesperson said: "It’s not uncommon for consultation deadlines to extend—we want as many people as possible to be able to have their say."

To date, Ars understands that the commission has received nearly 100 meaty responses to the consultation on the protection of official data.