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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Police to review MP leaks inquiry | Police to review MP leaks inquiry |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A senior police officer is to investigate the handling of the inquiry into Home Office leaks which led to the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green. | A senior police officer is to investigate the handling of the inquiry into Home Office leaks which led to the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green. |
| British Transport Police chief constable Ian Johnston will report to the Metropolitan Police in two weeks. | British Transport Police chief constable Ian Johnston will report to the Metropolitan Police in two weeks. |
| MPs are angry that Mr Green, the shadow immigration minister, was held while his Commons office was searched. | MPs are angry that Mr Green, the shadow immigration minister, was held while his Commons office was searched. |
| The home secretary said she welcomed Mr Johnston's inquiry into what she called "very serious matters". | The home secretary said she welcomed Mr Johnston's inquiry into what she called "very serious matters". |
| Tory complaints | Tory complaints |
| Officers from the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorism squad arrested Mr Green last Thursday and held him for nine hours. | Officers from the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorism squad arrested Mr Green last Thursday and held him for nine hours. |
| They also searched all his homes and offices. The Ashford MP denies all wrongdoing and has been released on bail until February. | They also searched all his homes and offices. The Ashford MP denies all wrongdoing and has been released on bail until February. |
| These are very serious matters, and the police should be free to pursue their investigations without fear or favour Jacqui SmithHome Secretary Tories warn of 'stitch-up' | |
| The Conservatives say Scotland Yard's behaviour was "heavy-handed", as the inquiry is into leaks of information not related to national security or covered by the Official Secrets Act. | The Conservatives say Scotland Yard's behaviour was "heavy-handed", as the inquiry is into leaks of information not related to national security or covered by the Official Secrets Act. |
| In a statement, the Met's acting commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, said: "I am properly concerned about the issues being raised within the continuing debate surrounding the ongoing investigation into the leaking of government information." | In a statement, the Met's acting commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, said: "I am properly concerned about the issues being raised within the continuing debate surrounding the ongoing investigation into the leaking of government information." |
| He added that there would be an "urgent review of our decisions, actions and handling of the investigation to date". | He added that there would be an "urgent review of our decisions, actions and handling of the investigation to date". |
| Mr Johnston has been asked to provide an interim report within a week and a full set of findings within a fortnight. | Mr Johnston has been asked to provide an interim report within a week and a full set of findings within a fortnight. |
| Sir Paul said: "In the meantime the [Home Office leaks] investigation team will be meeting with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] to review progress and consider next steps." | Sir Paul said: "In the meantime the [Home Office leaks] investigation team will be meeting with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] to review progress and consider next steps." |
| 'Gravity and sensitivity' | 'Gravity and sensitivity' |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has denied any prior knowledge of Mr Green's arrest, which relates to information passed by Home Office worker Christopher Galley. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has denied any prior knowledge of Mr Green's arrest, which relates to information passed by Home Office worker Christopher Galley. |
| She said: "In view of the gravity and sensitivity of this ongoing investigation, I spoke to Sir Paul yesterday to seek his assurance that the investigation was being pursued diligently, sensitively and in a proportionate manner. | She said: "In view of the gravity and sensitivity of this ongoing investigation, I spoke to Sir Paul yesterday to seek his assurance that the investigation was being pursued diligently, sensitively and in a proportionate manner. |
| "Sir Paul informed me of his intention to conduct a review of the handling of the case, which I welcomed. | "Sir Paul informed me of his intention to conduct a review of the handling of the case, which I welcomed. |
| "I reiterated my support for the police's operational independence from political interference. | "I reiterated my support for the police's operational independence from political interference. |
| "No-one should seek to prejudice a police investigation in any way. These are very serious matters, and the police should be free to pursue their investigations without fear or favour." | "No-one should seek to prejudice a police investigation in any way. These are very serious matters, and the police should be free to pursue their investigations without fear or favour." |
| For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve told the BBC: "I welcome this review but it is urgent that all this is sorted out quickly. | |
| "Until it is, parliamentarians will be unable to do their jobs properly." |