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Restricted files lost by minister Secret files on stolen Blears PC
(about 1 hour later)
A personal computer holding sensitive documents relating to defence and extremism has been stolen from Hazel Blears' constituency office in Salford.A personal computer holding sensitive documents relating to defence and extremism has been stolen from Hazel Blears' constituency office in Salford.
The theft may mean the communities secretary has broken rules on the handling of restricted government information, the BBC has learned.
The machine contained a combination of constituency and government information which should not have been held on it.The machine contained a combination of constituency and government information which should not have been held on it.
Manchester Police are investigating the theft, which took place on Saturday. The theft may mean the communities secretary has broken rules on the handling of restricted government information, the BBC has learned.
The restricted documents included papers relating to defence and extremism, but they did not contain any information that could compromise national security. The government is to review guidance on the storage of restricted information.
Latest breach Manchester Police are investigating the theft from the office in Salford's Working Class Movement Library on Saturday. Nothing else was taken.
Confidential document
This is the latest in a series of security breaches that have embarrassed the government. Last week a senior Cabinet Office official was suspended for leaving top secret documents on a train.
Another file of documents, including one restricted one, was found on another train last week as well.
None of the departmental material included sensitive personal data about the public or would be of use to criminals Government spokesman
The computer stolen from Ms Blears' office is understood to have contained one confidential document relating to the housing market from March this year, as well as other restricted documents.
But the documents did not contain any information that could compromise national security.
They also contained information that shows Cabinet members disagree over the government's proposed planning laws.They also contained information that shows Cabinet members disagree over the government's proposed planning laws.
Restricted government documents should not be held on a personal computer. Nothing else was taken from the office. Restricted government documents should not be held on a personal computer.
This is the latest in a series of security breaches that have embarrassed the government. A government spokesman said the machine contained material from the Department for Communities and Local Government and details relating to her constituency work.
Just last week a cabinet official was suspended for leaving top secret documents on a train. Alarm system
Another file of documents, including one restricted one, was found on another train, also last week. He insisted no personal details were among the departmental information.
But previous security lapses have all been made by unidentified civil servants. "There was a break-in at the constituency office of Hazel Blears on the afternoon of Saturday, 14 June. Hazel was not there at the time, " the spokesman said.
A security breach in a cabinet minister's office is doubly embarrassing for the government. "The thief broke in through a window, triggering the building's security alarm. A PC was stolen. Nothing else was taken.
"We understand the building's security staff arrived within minutes.
"The PC was primarily used for Hazel's constituency business and contained some details of her constituency work."
'Routine' investigation
The spokesman said "none of the departmental material included sensitive personal data about the public or would be of use to criminals".
He added: "The PC did not contain any secret or top secret information and the contents of the PC are protected and clearly this is now subject to a routine police investigation."