Britannia Radio

Tony Benn joins the chorus of condemnation of the arrest of an MP for 
embarrassing the government.  The LibDems are outraged too, so 
where's a quote from a Labour MP ?

IF the home Secretary is telling the truth then the outgoing 
Commissioner, Ian Blair, should be arrested by parliament and tried 
by parliament for the abuse of parliamentary privilege.  And if the 
Speaker authorised the search of the MP's room he should be impeached.

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POLITICS HOME   28.11.08
(Statements on Damian Green Arrest)

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BBC News at 15:29
Clegg: Green arrest akin to "a tinpot dictatorship"

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Leader

Mr. Clegg called the arrest of Damian Green "a mayday warning for 
British democracy."  He said "We have one of the most unaccountable, 
secretive forms of government anywhere in the modern world.

"Now we have an opposition frontbench spokesman raided by anti-terror 
police.  It's the kind of thing you'd expect in a tinpot dictatorship."

He said that he had consulted with Lord Carlisle who told him that he 
had "no idea why anti-terror powers could have been used in the first 
place."

"We need a parliament that can hold the government into account.  Our 
parliament is neutered."
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The World at One, BBC Radio 4 at 13:38
Michael Howard: Green arrest "raises real questions for Gordon Brown"

Michael Howard, Former Conservative Leader

Mr. Howard said that the arrest of Damian Green raised "real 
questions for Gordon Brown."

He said: "Gordon Brown made his reputation by exploiting government 
leaks in opposition. Are we to have one law for Gordon Brown and a 
different law for everybody else?

"When opposition politicians use leaked documents, in order to hold 
government to account, that is a legitimate thing to do.  A healthy 
thing to do to maintain the vigor of our democracy."

He added: "if this had been the approach when Gordon Brown was in 
opposition, he would have spent half his time under arrest.

"It might well be a Contempt of Parliament.  This is the sort of 
thing that led to the Civil War when Charles I was in parliament."

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The World At One, BBC Radio 4 at 13:31
Police interfere in Parliament in a police state, says Tony Benn

Tony Benn, Former Energy Secretary

Mr. Benn condemned the arrest of Damian Green.  He said: "It is a 
total breach of what accord the privleges of parliament and 
therefore, the electors.  His computers have been searched, his e-
mail has been frozen."

He said that it was tantamount to a Contempt of Parliament.  "Once 
police can interfere in parliament, then we're into a police state."
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Sky News at 11:24
Smith: No ministerial involvement in Green's arrest

Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary

Ms Smith was asked if she knew about the arrest of Damian Green.  She 
responded: "The Metropolitan Police have been completely clear that 
that arrest happened without ministerial involvement or authorisation."

She called the accusations that the government had some involvement 
in his arrest "disreputable."  She added: "I believe in the 
operational independence of the police."

"I think the Met have been completely clear about the extent of 
ministerial involvement--which is none--and I hope people recognise 
that is the case."

She was asked if it was reasonable for the Metropolitan Police to 
arrest a Member of Parliament in such a manner.  She responded: "I've 
been very clear on the operational independence of the police and 
that is the principle upon which I act and will act."