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Speaker facing growing pressure Concerns over Speaker's inquiry
(29 minutes later)
Commons Speaker Michael Martin is coming under growing pressure after admitting police who raided an MP's office did not have a warrant. MPs have raised concerns about Commons Speaker Michael Martin's inquiry into how police were able to raid an MP's office and seize equipment.
Some MPs have openly called for him to go and Commons leader Harriet Harman refused to say on the BBC's Newsnight that she had confidence in him. On Wednesday Mr Martin pledged a "speedy and immediate" inquiry but it has now emerged it may not begin until after the police leak inquiry ends.
But housing minister Margaret Beckett told the BBC that she thought Mr Martin had shown "dignity" in his statement. "It might not meet for months," shadow commons leader Theresa May told MPs.
And she said Ms Harman was right not to answer questions about her view of him. Commons leader Harriet Harman said it would not be "wise" to set up a probe while police inquiries continue.
Mrs Beckett, a former leader of the Commons, told BBC Radio 4's Today that the Speaker represented all MPs - rather than the government - so it would be wrong for a government minister to comment on the performance of whoever held that job. Commons Speaker Michael Martin is coming under growing pressure after he admitted on Wednesday that police who raided shadow immigration minister Damian Green's office did not have a warrant.
And she added: "What was unfortunate about yesterday is that there are obviously a lot of people who are looking around, as so often in these affairs, for somebody to blame. Anybody, by the way, apart from the person who may be accused of doing something wrong." 'No resemblance'
Mr Martin said on Wednesday he had "regrets" over the fact police were allowed to search shadow immigration minister Damian Green's office with no warrant as part of a Home Office leak inquiry. He pledged a "speedy" inquiry by a committee of MPs into what went wrong which he said would report back "as soon as possible".
The issue dominated business questions at the Commons on Thursday with the Conservatives saying the government's suggested inquiry bore "no resemblance" to plans outlined by the Speaker. Lib Dem MP David Heath said the government was "taking the micky".
Ms May said a government motion setting up the committee suggested it would only begin work after any police inquiry was concluded and any criminal charges completed.
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
The Speaker has said there will be a debate on the issues around Mr Green's arrest next Monday.
But the Conservatives say at three hours, it is not long enough and have raised concerns about an inquiry by a committee of MPs appointed to investigate what went wrong.
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said it a government motion setting up the committee suggested it would only begin work after any police inquiry was concluded.
"In other words it might not meet for months," she told MPs."In other words it might not meet for months," she told MPs.
She also said an instruction it would reflect the political balance of the Commons was wrong as it meant it would be "dominated by the government". She also said an instruction that it would reflect the political balance of the Commons was wrong as it meant it would be "dominated by the government".
She also asked if other MPs' emails and files may have been searched when police accessed the Parliamentary server during the raid on Mr Green's office. She also asked if other MPs' e-mails and files may have been searched when police accessed the Parliamentary server during the raid on Mr Green's office.
In response Ms Harman said the terms of the motion were "amendable" but added: "I don't think it's wise to set up a concurrent investigation when there's a police investigation underway."In response Ms Harman said the terms of the motion were "amendable" but added: "I don't think it's wise to set up a concurrent investigation when there's a police investigation underway."
She said she wanted any debate to bear in mind four principles - to protect MPs in doing their job, to bear in mind MPs are not above the law, to support the independence of the police and to support the neutrality of the civil service. 'Whole House approach'
She said she wanted any debate to keep in mind four principles - to protect MPs in doing their job, to remember MPs were not above the law, to support the independence of the police and to support the neutrality of the civil service.
She was met with cries of "cover up" and "rubbish" from some MPs as she said it was important to get the balance right and support those principles.She was met with cries of "cover up" and "rubbish" from some MPs as she said it was important to get the balance right and support those principles.
"What we need is a cross party, whole house approach on these issues and not a party political divide," Ms Harman said. "What we need is a cross party, whole House approach on these issues and not a party political divide," Ms Harman said.
Harriet Harman: "It's not my responsibility to choose the Speaker"
The Speaker has said there will be a debate on the issues around Mr Green's arrest next Monday.
But the Conservatives say at three hours, it is not long enough and there should be a full day's debate.
Some MPs have openly called for him to go and Ms Harman refused to say on the BBC's Newsnight that she had confidence in him.
But housing minister Margaret Beckett told the BBC that she thought Mr Martin had shown "dignity" in his statement.
'Wise after event'
Mrs Beckett, a former leader of the Commons, told BBC Radio 4's Today that the Speaker represented all MPs - rather than the government - so it would be wrong for a government minister to comment on the performance of whoever held that job.
And she added: "What was unfortunate about yesterday is that there are obviously a lot of people who are looking around, as so often in these affairs, for somebody to blame. Anybody, by the way, apart from the person who may be accused of doing something wrong."
Mr Martin said on Wednesday he had "regrets" over the fact police were allowed to search Mr Green's office with no warrant as part of a Home Office leak inquiry.
On Wednesday Conservative MP Richard Bacon said the Speaker should resign, given that he had "failed in his fundamental duty to protect Parliament".On Wednesday Conservative MP Richard Bacon said the Speaker should resign, given that he had "failed in his fundamental duty to protect Parliament".
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". FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
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 consent
Labour MP Stephen Pound backed Mr Martin and Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay "absolutely" to remain in their jobs telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Speaker's critics were being "wise after the event".Labour MP Stephen Pound backed Mr Martin and Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay "absolutely" to remain in their jobs telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Speaker's critics were being "wise after the event".
He added: "The Conservative MPs in Damian Green's office - they didn't ask for a warrant when the police turned up."He added: "The Conservative MPs in Damian Green's office - they didn't ask for a warrant when the police turned up."
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".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
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 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.
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.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.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to make a statement to the Commons on the arrest of Mr Green. She has already insisted she was right not to interfere in the police inquiry. Her statement is expected at about 1130 GMT. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is now making a statement to the Commons on the arrest of Mr Green. She has already insisted she was right not to interfere in the police inquiry.
It will be followed by a debate on planned Home Office legislation, although some MPs may try to use it to discuss the arrest . The Speaker has already agreed to hold a separate debate on the issue next Monday.