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New Commons inquiry into MP raid Speaker reassures MPs over server
(about 3 hours later)
A committee of MPs will hold an inquiry into police actions surrounding the arrest of senior Tory MP Damian Green. Speaker Michael Martin has said police searching Damian Green's office did not get access to MPs' emails or other information on Parliament's server.
The Speaker's plans for a wider inquiry is being boycotted by the Tories and Lib Dems because it will not start work until after the police probe finishes. Several MPs had raised concerns after police searched the shadow immigration minister's office and computer as part of a leaks inquiry.
Home Affairs committee chair Keith Vaz was among 29 Labour rebels who voted for an immediate inquiry on Monday. Mr Martin said "no access" was given and in future, a warrant would be required before access was granted.
His committee will hold an inquiry into the "police aspects and processes" as part of a Home Office leaks inquiry. Many MPs say the Speaker should have stopped police entering the Commons.
Public interest In a statement to MPs Mr Martin said the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service took the security of its system "very seriously".
Previously it would only grant access if the Serjeant at Arms gave permission but in future it would require evidence of a warrant.
One MP sought reassurances over there was "no way the police could have accessed the servers without the permission of Pict" - Mr Martin assured him that "no access was given and no access was taken either".
Two Parliamentary inquiries have been ordered into the arrest and search of Mr Green's office but another probe announced by the Speaker is being boycotted.
Many MPs are concerned that police were allowed to search Mr Green's Westminster office 11 days ago without a warrant.Many MPs are concerned that police were allowed to search Mr Green's Westminster office 11 days ago without a warrant.
Commons Speaker Michael Martin has expressed regret that this was allowed to happen but the inquiry by senior MPs he announced to look into the issue has become dogged by political controversy. Inquiry controversy
I hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently Keith Vaz MP Mr Martin has expressed regret that this was allowed to happen but the inquiry by senior MPs he announced to look into the issue has become dogged by political controversy.
The government narrowly won a vote in the Commons on Monday on the terms of the inquiry and the make-up of the committee but opposition parties immediately said they would not take part.The government narrowly won a vote in the Commons on Monday on the terms of the inquiry and the make-up of the committee but opposition parties immediately said they would not take part.
I hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently Keith Vaz MP
Home Affairs committee chair Keith Vaz was among 29 Labour rebels who voted for an immediate inquiry.
His committee will hold an inquiry into the "police aspects and processes" as part of a Home Office leaks inquiry.
Meanwhile the Commons Public Administration Committee is to look into "leaks and whistleblowing in Whitehall".
Mr Vaz said his committee's own inquiry was in the public interest.Mr Vaz said his committee's own inquiry was in the public interest.
"This is an important inquiry and it is vital that the issues of political involvement in police matters and the process of arrests of this kind are thoroughly examined," he said."This is an important inquiry and it is vital that the issues of political involvement in police matters and the process of arrests of this kind are thoroughly examined," he said.
The terms of reference of the investigation have yet to be decided but Mr Vaz said they would cover "the police processes and the involvement, if any, of political figures in these matters".The terms of reference of the investigation have yet to be decided but Mr Vaz said they would cover "the police processes and the involvement, if any, of political figures in these matters".
"I hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently in order to ensure that best practice recommendations can be made as soon as possible," he added."I hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently in order to ensure that best practice recommendations can be made as soon as possible," he added.
Mr Green was held for nine hours and his offices searched as part of a inquiry into allegations of co-ordinated leaks from the Home Office.Mr Green was held for nine hours and his offices searched as part of a inquiry into allegations of co-ordinated leaks from the Home Office.
Mr Green has denied any wrongdoing, saying the leaked material he received was merely embarrassing for ministers and did not pose a threat to national security.Mr Green has denied any wrongdoing, saying the leaked material he received was merely embarrassing for ministers and did not pose a threat to national security.