This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7762005.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Officers 'decided to arrest MP' Officers 'decided to arrest MP'
(19 minutes later)
Police officers made the decision to arrest Tory MP Damian Green, not ministers, the acting head of the Metropolitan Police has said.Police officers made the decision to arrest Tory MP Damian Green, not ministers, the acting head of the Metropolitan Police has said.
Sir Paul Stephenson said he "would strongly refute" any suggestion they came under any "improper influence".Sir Paul Stephenson said he "would strongly refute" any suggestion they came under any "improper influence".
He said written authority to search the Tory frontbencher's Westminster office was obtained from the serjeant at arms.He said written authority to search the Tory frontbencher's Westminster office was obtained from the serjeant at arms.
The Commons Speaker is due to make a statement about the decision to allow officers to search the office. The Commons Speaker is due to make a statement on the events and may face protests if he does not allow a debate.
Michael Martin is expected to face a protest unless he grants a full parliamentary debate on the issue. Speaking at City Hall Sir Paul said the Cabinet Office had called in the police in October and after investigation arrested a civil servant - who was later released on bail.
Some of the most senior Tory and Lib Dem MPs including Ken Clarke and Menzies Campbell are understood to be prepared to interrupt the statement. Potential evidence
"It is our duty to follow the evidence wherever that may take us," Sir Paul told a meeting of London Assembly members.
"It was as a result of our initial investigations and arrest that a decision was taken by officers ... to arrest an MP."
The police must be able to act without fear or favour Sir Paul Stephenson
He said three addresses connected with Mr Green were searched under warrant, while written authority was given to search his Parliamentary office.
"Officers have an obligation to locate and secure evidence to avoid any circumstances where potential evidence could be lost. With this in mind, the decision was taken to arrest and search the relevant addresses in accordance with the police and criminal evidence act."
He denied speculation that listening devices had been used and said the reason counter-terrorism officers were used was only because special branch and the anti-terrorist branch had been merged: "Clearly this inquiry is not terrorist related."
He said the CPS had been handed a report for consultation on the next steps in the inquiry. Mr Green was released on bail until February.
"The police must be able to act without fear or favour, on any investigation whomsoever may be involved, when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may have committed criminal offences," he said.
"Let me deal finally with the suggestion that any political or ministerial influence on this or any other police operation under my command.
"I would strongly refute that I or any senior officer under my command have, or would allow, any improper influence of our operational judgement and actions for political purposes. That is not what we do".
Some of the most senior Tory and Lib Dem MPs including Ken Clarke and Sir Menzies Campbell are understood to be prepared to interrupt Michael Martin's statement in the Commons.
Many MPs are angry Mr Martin allowed police officers to enter Parliament.Many MPs are angry Mr Martin allowed police officers to enter Parliament.
Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg have been discussing plans to secure a Commons debate on police powers and their application to Parliament, the BBC understands. The Speaker is to make a statement at 1430 GMT - after the Queen's Speech but before MPs begin to discuss the government's legislative programme - and is likely to come under pressure to grant a debate.
The Speaker is to make a statement at 1430 GMT on Wednesday - after the Queen's Speech but before MPs begin to discuss the government's legislative programme - and is likely to come under pressure to grant a debate.
MisgivingsMisgivings
The BBC's Norman Smith said several Tory MPs were considering trying to force Mr Martin's resignation. Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg have been discussing plans to secure a Commons debate on police powers and their application to Parliament and several Tory MPs are thought to be considering trying to force Mr Martin's resignation.
He said they were looking at securing enough signatures on an early day motion expressing no confidence in the speaker.
But he added that he understood they would not take any action until they had heard his statement.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Former shadow home secretary David Davis said MPs were "bubbling with indignation about what is going on and will want to debate it".Former shadow home secretary David Davis said MPs were "bubbling with indignation about what is going on and will want to debate it".
But former Labour minister Lord Foulkes said the move was a tactic to "divert attention" from the real issue. He said people should not pre-judge the situation before Mr Martin's statement.But former Labour minister Lord Foulkes said the move was a tactic to "divert attention" from the real issue. He said people should not pre-judge the situation before Mr Martin's statement.
And Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said that although he thought MPs should be granted a debate on the issue, there should also be scrutiny of the official at the centre of the row, who he accused of passing sensitive documents to the Conservatives "in an attempt to pursue his ambitions in the Conservative party, allegedly". Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said that although he thought MPs should be granted a debate on the issue, there should also be scrutiny of the official at the centre of the row, who he accused of passing sensitive documents to the Conservatives "in an attempt to pursue his ambitions in the Conservative party, allegedly".
"Whilst I recognise that the anger being expressed by some MPs is no doubt sincerely felt by some of them, I also think it's pretty self-serving by Conservative MPs, who want to put up a smokescreen to hide their own party's role in, allegedly, colluding with a home office official and breaking the law," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."Whilst I recognise that the anger being expressed by some MPs is no doubt sincerely felt by some of them, I also think it's pretty self-serving by Conservative MPs, who want to put up a smokescreen to hide their own party's role in, allegedly, colluding with a home office official and breaking the law," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Many MPs have expressed misgivings about how police were allowed to enter Parliament to search shadow immigration minister Mr Green's office, arguing that the Speaker should have stopped them.
Some MPs had considered a protest during the Queen's Speech but ruled this out because they feared it would be seen as a protest against the monarchy.
'Political beliefs''Political beliefs'
Mr Green was arrested last Thursday and held for nine hours on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office in relation to an inquiry into leaks from the Home Office.Mr Green was arrested last Thursday and held for nine hours on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office in relation to an inquiry into leaks from the Home Office.
HAVE YOUR SAY I cannot remember MPs getting so worked up about anything for a very long time Russ Barton, Brighouse Send us your comments
Home Office civil servant Christopher Galley was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office earlier this month over the leaks.Home Office civil servant Christopher Galley was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office earlier this month over the leaks.
Lawyers for the 26 year old, who is a former Tory council candidate, insist he did nothing wrong by handing over documents which embarrassed the government to Mr Green.Lawyers for the 26 year old, who is a former Tory council candidate, insist he did nothing wrong by handing over documents which embarrassed the government to Mr Green.
HAVE YOUR SAY I cannot remember MPs getting so worked up about anything for a very long time Russ Barton, Brighouse Send us your comments
But Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell insisted internal systems were in place for staff to raise "matters of concern".But Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell insisted internal systems were in place for staff to raise "matters of concern".
It was vital for the operation of the civil service that individuals put aside their "political beliefs" and kept the "confidence" of ministers, he said in a speech at an awards ceremony in Birmingham.It was vital for the operation of the civil service that individuals put aside their "political beliefs" and kept the "confidence" of ministers, he said in a speech at an awards ceremony in Birmingham.
Lord Foulkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that where there could have been a threat to national security it was right to let the police investigate, provided the action was proportionate.Lord Foulkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that where there could have been a threat to national security it was right to let the police investigate, provided the action was proportionate.
But David Davis, also speaking on the programme, said if there had been any question of such a threat, the arrests would have been made under the Official Secrets Act.But David Davis, also speaking on the programme, said if there had been any question of such a threat, the arrests would have been made under the Official Secrets Act.
If that had been the case, "no-one would have said a word" about it, he added.If that had been the case, "no-one would have said a word" about it, he added.