MPs want police to publish report
Conservative and Labour MPs are calling for a review into the arrest of
Tory Damian Green to be published in full.
Scotland Yard has revealed some of the report but insists it cannot
release it in full while its investigation into Home Office leaks is
still ongoing.
Labour backbencher Andrew Mackinlay accused them of hiding behind
excuses.
The Met said the review of its inquiry "raises concerns" about methods
but says the arrest and search of the MP's office were found to be
"lawful".
But Met Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick said he would not publish the
report because it related "to an ongoing criminal investigation" in
which people had been arrested.
Mr Green, the party's immigration spokesman, was arrested last month
after Home Office civil servant Christopher Galley was detained on
suspicion of passing leaked information to him.
Both men were released on bail without charge.
Challenges
The arrest and search of Mr Green's Commons office, including his
computer, prompted a political row.
The British Transport Police were asked to look into how the police had
dealt with the investigation, and their findings have now been handed to
Scotland Yard.
In his statement, Mr Quick welcomed assurances in the review by BTP
Chief Constable Ian Johnston that "the arrests and searches were
lawful".
He said: "He recognises that there are arguments, either way, regarding
proportionality over the manner of arrest of a Member of Parliament but
questions the method taken in this case.
"He also raises concerns as to whether elements of the investigative
approach meet current policy and best practice. These issues will be
carefully considered."
He added that the review notes that police investigations can be
"especially challenging when faced with Parliamentary rights and
freedoms".
He said it suggests the force should work with the "relevant authorities
to develop guidance to inform future decisions and actions in such
circumstances"
The police's refusal to divulge the whole of the report has led to anger
in Parliament.
On Tuesday evening, Conservative MPs Bill Cash and Richard Bacon raised
points of order in the Commons, demanding the review be published.
Speaker Michael Martin said he would consult his advisers overnight and
respond as quickly as possible.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis said the report should be
published in full as quickly as possible.
He added: "This is clearly a highly critical report and should not be
buried on a day when there is lots of other home affairs news."
Labour's Andrew Mackinlay also called for the report to be published in
full: "Clearly it is acutely embarrassing. They are hiding behind the
excuse of 'ongoing criminal proceedings'
Boycotted inquiry
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "This statement shows that there
were very serious failings in the police operation against him."
He said Mr Green had done nothing wrong and the party hoped the matter
could be "resolved speedily".
A promised Parliamentary inquiry into what happened is being boycotted
by the Tories and Lib Dems because the government want to delay it until
after the police inquiry has concluded.
Two other Commons committees, the home affairs and the public
administration committees, will both examine aspects of the case.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2008/12/17 05:01:32 GMT
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
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