Police row MP seeks clarification

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The MP at the centre over a new row over police entry to politicians' offices has written to the Commons Speaker to try to clarify events.

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said police had entered his office without a search warrant demanding to see constituents' letters.

The Conservative MP wrote in the letter that police put "undue pressure" on his staff, including a young researcher.

Scotland Yard said a police officer entered the office "by appointment".

'Eternal shame'

Speaker Michael Martin has said the MP should have checked his facts before "rushing to judgement" in the matter.

Mr Kawczynski said in the letter he also wanted to clarify "important grey areas" about the powers police have to enter MPs' offices.

Earlier this week Mr Martin said he would change the rules on police procedure in the Commons.

From now on, police officers must inform the Commons authorities before approaching MPs in the course of an inquiry.

In a statement in the Commons on Wednesday evening, Mr Kawczynski said the episode was "disgraceful".

He told his fellow MPs that his staff had felt under a "certain duress" to hand over information relating to an inquiry over "white powder" sent to a minister.

Mr Kawczynski said it was to his "eternal shame" that he had complied by handing over a letter.

The dispute follows the November arrest of shadow immigration minister Damian Green as part of a Scotland Yard investigation into the leaking of sensitive Home Office information.

His detention and the search of his Commons offices angered many MPs and led for calls for Mr Martin to resign.