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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Leaks 'were in public interest' | Leaks 'were in public interest' |
| (20 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". | 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 lawyer added: "If ever there was a case of don't shoot the messenger, this is surely it." | |
| The 26-year-old was arrested and held for 17 hours by police on 19 November. | The 26-year-old was arrested and held for 17 hours by police on 19 November. |
| Solicitor Neil O'May said Mr Galley had 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 sitting beside him, said the civil servant was unable to speak as he was still under active investigation. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Open and democratic' | |
| 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. | 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: "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. | "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." | "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 O'May also said: "Those who initiated the police investigation and those who sanctioned the use of these powers of arrest and search against a civil servant who was giving information directly to an MP should consider whether this was a necessary and proportionate way of dealing with this kind of allegation." | |
| 'Embarrassment' | |
| He insisted the leaked documents were "embarrassment material" and important to holding the government to account. | |
| Mr O'May said: "It's really not state secret, national security, terrorism, financial jeopardy, loss, gain or otherwise - nothing remotely like that." | |
| Mr Galley has not been charged with any offence and has been bailed to return to police in January. | |
| Mr Green, MP for Ashford, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office. He has also not been charged. | |
| Police held him for nine hours last week and allegedly accused him of "grooming" the civil servant to pass on information. | 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 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. | 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. |