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Leaks 'were in public interest' | |
(10 minutes later) | |
The solicitor for the Home Office worker who leaked information says he did it because it was material that was "important for the public to know". | |
Christopher Galley's solicitor added: "If ever there was a case of don't shoot the messenger, this is it." | |
The 26-year-old was arrested and held for 17 hours by police on 19 November. | |
Solicitor Neil O'May said Mr Galley first met shadow immigration minister Damian Green, who was himself arrested last week, in 2006 in parliament. | |
Mr O'May, of Bindmans solicitors, speaking at a press conference with Mr Galley sat beside him, said the civil servant was unable to speak as he was still under active investigation and had been bailed to return to police in January. | |
He claimed his client's arrest had been "unpleasant and unnecessary" and that the documents leaked were not of major importance in terms of national security. | |
'Unnecessary' | |
Mr O'May also denied newspaper reports that Mr Galley had been knowingly used by police after his arrest in an attempt to entrap Mr Green. | |
He said: "Christopher Galley first met Damian Green in the Houses of Parliament in 2006. He was in contact with Mr Green over the following two years, including further meetings with him. | |
"Mr Galley gave Damian Green information which was important for the public to know in an open and democratic parliamentary system. | |
"As a shadow minister for immigration and as a Member of Parliament, Damian Green received the information in the same spirit and used it in his parliamentary duties. | |
"In providing this information for a shadow minister, Mr Galley believed that it would be used in a highly responsible manner in the public interest." | |
Mr Green, MP for Ashford, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office, but not charged. | |
Police held him for nine hours last week and allegedly accused him of "grooming" the civil servant to pass on information. | |
Mr Green's homes and offices were searched. | |
Mr Galley was a Conservative activist and is believed to have previously applied for jobs in Mr Green's office. | Mr Galley was a Conservative activist and is believed to have previously applied for jobs in Mr Green's office. |
There is Tory anger over the police's alleged use of the term "grooming" because it is usually mentioned in relation to child sex offences. Mr Green has denied any wrongdoing. |