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Smith statement due on Green case Smith statement due on Green case
(about 3 hours later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to make a statement to the Commons on the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to make a statement to the Commons on the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.
She has already insisted she did not order the police probe into the alleged leaking of documents to Mr Green. She has already insisted she was right not to interfere in the police inquiry.
Commons Speaker Michael Martin has said he regrets police were allowed to search Mr Green's office with no warrant as part of the inquiry.Commons Speaker Michael Martin has said he regrets police were allowed to search Mr Green's office with no warrant as part of the inquiry.
The Speaker is still facing criticism over the affair, says BBC political editor Nick Robinson. The Speaker faces mounting criticism over the affair and Commons leader Harriet Harman refused on BBC Newsnight to say she still had confidence in him.
However, it is thought the home secretary's statement about the issues raised by the affair may shift attention to the role of senior ministers. Asked a number of times if she had confidence in the Speaker, Commons Leader Ms Harman said: "I am not saying I have got full confidence in anything or anybody."
Mr Martin told MPs yesterday that he knew in advance about the search of Mr Green's office but was not told that the police did not have a warrant.
Confidence
He has referred this issue to be investigated by a committee of senior MPs and promised that, in future, a warrant would be required before searches were carried out on Commons property.
"Every case must be referred for my personal decision, as it is my responsibility," he added.
Asked if she had confidence in the Speaker, Commons Leader Harriet Harman said: "I am not saying I have got full confidence in anything or anybody."
I have no confidence in the Speaker's willingness or ability to defend Parliament or me as an MP, so that I can defend the interests of my constituents Richard Bacon MP Profile: Michael MartinIn quotes: Speaker's statementNick Robinson on the day's eventsI have no confidence in the Speaker's willingness or ability to defend Parliament or me as an MP, so that I can defend the interests of my constituents Richard Bacon MP Profile: Michael MartinIn quotes: Speaker's statementNick Robinson on the day's events
In an interview with the BBC's Newsnight programme, Ms Harman said it was her responsibility to support the Speaker and his officials, and to uphold key principles such as protecting the rights of MPs to conduct their business without unwarranted interference. Ms Harman said it was her responsibility to support the Speaker and his officials, and to uphold key principles such as protecting the rights of MPs to conduct their business without unwarranted interference.
She later denied she had said she had no confidence in Mr Martin, adding "It's not a question; there is no vote of confidence in the Speaker."She later denied she had said she had no confidence in Mr Martin, adding "It's not a question; there is no vote of confidence in the Speaker."
But one Conservative MP said the Speaker should resign, given that he had "failed in his fundamental duty to protect Parliament".But one Conservative MP said the Speaker should resign, given that he had "failed in his fundamental duty to protect Parliament".
"I have no confidence in the Speaker's willingness or ability to defend Parliament or me as an MP, so that I can defend the interests of my constituents," Richard Bacon said."I have no confidence in the Speaker's willingness or ability to defend Parliament or me as an MP, so that I can defend the interests of my constituents," Richard Bacon said.
"He has to go. It is that simple.""He has to go. It is that simple."
The BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said confidence in the Speaker's authority in the Commons had taken a "very severe knock".
Conservative home affairs spokesman Dominic Grieve told Newsnight he had "confidence in the Speaker's good intentions" but described the current situation as a "fiasco".Conservative home affairs spokesman Dominic Grieve told Newsnight he had "confidence in the Speaker's good intentions" but described the current situation as a "fiasco".
But he said the Speaker should be not be forced out, saying the focus should be on "putting right what has been done wrong" and reasserting the rights of Parliament. He said the Speaker should be not be forced out, saying the focus should be on "putting right what has been done wrong" and reasserting the rights of Parliament.
Search consentSearch consent
Mr Martin told MPs on Wednesday that he knew in advance about the search of Mr Green's office but was not told that the police did not have a warrant.
He has referred this issue to be investigated by a committee of senior MPs and promised that, in future, a warrant would be required before searches were carried out on Commons property.
"Every case must be referred for my personal decision, as it is my responsibility," he added.
Items including computer files were confiscated during raids on all Mr Green's homes and offices last Thursday.Items including computer files were confiscated during raids on all Mr Green's homes and offices last Thursday.
After the news broke last week that four addresses had been raided, Scotland Yard said it had had warrants for all of them.After the news broke last week that four addresses had been raided, Scotland Yard said it had had warrants for all of them.
But, shortly before the Speaker's statement, acting Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson revised the detail, saying just three warrants had been issued, while the Commons search had been "consensual".But, shortly before the Speaker's statement, acting Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson revised the detail, saying just three warrants had been issued, while the Commons search had been "consensual".
When asked about this, a Scotland Yard spokesman said there had been "no deliberate attempt to mislead".When asked about this, a Scotland Yard spokesman said there had been "no deliberate attempt to mislead".
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A separate police source added that if the official who signed the consent form for the raid - Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay - had not known police could be refused permission to enter, it would be "surprising".A separate police source added that if the official who signed the consent form for the raid - Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay - had not known police could be refused permission to enter, it would be "surprising".
Mr Green, shadow immigration minister, was arrested and held for nine hours last Thursday as part of a police inquiry into Home Office leaks.Mr Green, shadow immigration minister, was arrested and held for nine hours last Thursday as part of a police inquiry into Home Office leaks.
Many MPs have expressed outrage, saying that their independence has been compromised.Many MPs have expressed outrage, saying that their independence has been compromised.
Mr Green was held on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office and on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in public office. Mr Green was held on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office and on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in public office. The MP denies any wrongdoing.
It has been alleged that, during his police interview, Mr Green was accused of "grooming" his Home Office source, rather than simply receiving leaks. Ms Smith's statement on Thursday is expected at about 1215 GMT.
The MP denies any wrongdoing.