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Speaker reassures MPs over server Speaker reassures MPs over server
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.
Several MPs had raised concerns after police searched the shadow immigration minister's office and computer as part of a leaks inquiry.Several MPs had raised concerns after police searched the shadow immigration minister's office and computer as part of a leaks inquiry.
Mr Martin said "no access" was given and in future, a warrant would be required before access was granted.Mr Martin said "no access" was given and in future, a warrant would be required before access was granted.
Many MPs say the Speaker should have stopped police entering the Commons.Many MPs say the Speaker should have stopped police entering the Commons.
In a statement to MPs Mr Martin said the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service (Pict) took the security of its system "very seriously".In a statement to MPs Mr Martin said the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service (Pict) took the security of its system "very seriously".
Inquiry controversyInquiry controversy
Previously it would only grant access if the Serjeant at Arms gave permission but in future it would require evidence of a warrant.Previously it would only grant access if the Serjeant at Arms gave permission but in future it would require evidence of a warrant.
Last week he tightened procedures after it emerged Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay had not asked for a warrant when police arrived to search Mr Green's office.Last week he tightened procedures after it emerged Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay had not asked for a warrant when police arrived to search Mr Green's office.
Tory MP Mike Penning sought reassurances that 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".Tory MP Mike Penning sought reassurances that 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".
I hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently Keith Vaz MPI hope that we can conduct the inquiry quickly and efficiently Keith Vaz MP
Two Parliamentary inquiries have been ordered into the arrest and search of Mr Green's office 11 days ago but another probe by senior MPs announced by the Speaker has become dogged by political controversy.Two Parliamentary inquiries have been ordered into the arrest and search of Mr Green's office 11 days ago but another probe by senior MPs announced by the Speaker 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.
Home Affairs committee chair Keith Vaz was among 29 Labour rebels who voted for an immediate inquiry.Home Affairs committee chair Keith Vaz was among 29 Labour rebels who voted for an immediate inquiry.
Inquiry controversyInquiry controversy
His committee will hold an inquiry into the "police aspects and processes" as part of a Home Office leaks 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.
We expect the police to be able to conduct their own investigations without feeling that we are somehow on their turf and in their face Harriet HarmanCommons leader
"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.
Giving evidence to the committee Commons Leader Harriet Harman urged it not to do anything in its inquiry which might interfere with the police investigation. Commons Leader Harriet Harman urged the committee not to do anything in its inquiry which might interfere with the police investigation.
"We expect the police to be able to conduct their own investigations without feeling that we are somehow on their turf and in their face," she said. Asked whether the Speaker's inquiry would continue despite the boycott by Tories and Lib Dems, she said that was a "really a matter for the Speaker".
Asked whether the committee would press ahead with the Speaker's inquiry, despite the boycott, she said that was a "really a matter for the Speaker". Whistleblowing
Public Administration Committee chairman Tony Wright, who was also among Labour rebels calling for an immediate inquiry, said full details of its inquiry would be announced later. The police's handling of the case is being reviewed by British Transport Police boss Ian Johnston, who handed his interim findings to senior Met officers on Tuesday.
The Met said it would not comment until it received the full report, expected to be next week.
Meanwhile the Commons Public Administration Committee is to look into "leaks and whistleblowing in Whitehall".
Its chairman Tony Wright, who was also among Labour rebels calling for an immediate inquiry, said full details of its inquiry would be announced later.
But Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, who is due before the committee on Thursday, would be asked about the matter then. His department called in the Metropolitan Police to investigate a series of leaks from the Home Office.But Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, who is due before the committee on Thursday, would be asked about the matter then. His department called in the Metropolitan Police to investigate a series of 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 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.
The Conservatives say he was just doing his job, holding the government to account and say neither he, nor Chris Galley, the civil servant accused of passing information to him, had committed a criminal offence.The Conservatives say he was just doing his job, holding the government to account and say neither he, nor Chris Galley, the civil servant accused of passing information to him, had committed a criminal offence.
But some Labour MPs see it as an attempt by Mr Green to exploit his relationship with Mr Galley, a Conservative activist believed to have applied to Mr Green for a job. The Tories say Mr Green acted with "complete propriety".But some Labour MPs see it as an attempt by Mr Green to exploit his relationship with Mr Galley, a Conservative activist believed to have applied to Mr Green for a job. The Tories say Mr Green acted with "complete propriety".
Neither man has been charged with any offence.Neither man has been charged with any offence.