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Met urged to attend leaks inquiry Met urged to attend leaks inquiry
(10 minutes later)
An MPs' committee has urged both London's mayor and its police force to answer questions on the events leading to MP Damian Green's arrest. An MPs' committee has urged London's mayor and its police force to answer questions on the events leading to MP Damian Green's arrest.
The Home Affairs committee is looking into a Home Office leaks inquiry that led to the arrest of the Tory MP.The Home Affairs committee is looking into a Home Office leaks inquiry that led to the arrest of the Tory MP.
Chairman Keith Vaz said he was disappointed neither Boris Johnson nor the Met Police had agreed to appear.Chairman Keith Vaz said he was disappointed neither Boris Johnson nor the Met Police had agreed to appear.
Mr Johnson's office said he was happy to cooperate, once a separate inquiry into his conduct was concluded. The Met and Mr Johnson say it would be inappropriate to comment while other linked investigations are continuing.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir David Normington gave evidence to the committee last week.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir David Normington gave evidence to the committee last week.
We are disappointed that they feel unable to provide us with any answers at this point Keith VazWe are disappointed that they feel unable to provide us with any answers at this point Keith Vaz
Mr Vaz urged Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, the officer leading the investigation into the leaks, to appear before the committee next week.Mr Vaz urged Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, the officer leading the investigation into the leaks, to appear before the committee next week.
He said: "The committee are keen to learn exactly what occurred and conclude the inquiry quickly and efficiently.He said: "The committee are keen to learn exactly what occurred and conclude the inquiry quickly and efficiently.
"We understand the concerns of the police however we believe it is important for them to give evidence on the process of policing such leaks and we are disappointed that they feel unable to provide us with any answers at this point.""We understand the concerns of the police however we believe it is important for them to give evidence on the process of policing such leaks and we are disappointed that they feel unable to provide us with any answers at this point."
'Significant roles''Significant roles'
He added: "We were also disappointed with the response from the mayor given his public expression of concern at the time of the arrest."He added: "We were also disappointed with the response from the mayor given his public expression of concern at the time of the arrest."
He said both the mayor and Mr Quick had "significant roles" to play in what happened and urged them to appear before the committee next week.He said both the mayor and Mr Quick had "significant roles" to play in what happened and urged them to appear before the committee next week.
Mr Johnson's role was called into question when it emerged he had spoken to Mr Green - a fellow Conservative - following his arrest. As head of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Mr Johnson had been briefed on the arrest by the force.Mr Johnson's role was called into question when it emerged he had spoken to Mr Green - a fellow Conservative - following his arrest. As head of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Mr Johnson had been briefed on the arrest by the force.
Labour members of the London Assembly said it was inappropriate for the chairman of the MPA to speak to a suspect under investigation.Labour members of the London Assembly said it was inappropriate for the chairman of the MPA to speak to a suspect under investigation.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The mayor has made it clear throughout that he is happy to cooperate fully and to appear before the committee at a time that is convenient to all concerned.A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The mayor has made it clear throughout that he is happy to cooperate fully and to appear before the committee at a time that is convenient to all concerned.
"However the mayor is currently subject to a joint MPA/GLA (Greater London Authority) standards committee investigation into his conduct in this matter and does not feel it would be appropriate for him to be questioned in public before it is concluded.""However the mayor is currently subject to a joint MPA/GLA (Greater London Authority) standards committee investigation into his conduct in this matter and does not feel it would be appropriate for him to be questioned in public before it is concluded."
The police's decision to detain Mr Green - who is shadow immigration minister - for nine hours in connection with a Home Office leak inquiry and search his Westminster office angered MPs.The police's decision to detain Mr Green - who is shadow immigration minister - for nine hours in connection with a Home Office leak inquiry and search his Westminster office angered MPs.
Last week the home secretary defended the decision to ask the police to investigate the leaks, saying it was justified because there had been a series of "systematic" leaks and sensitive material could have been vulnerable.Last week the home secretary defended the decision to ask the police to investigate the leaks, saying it was justified because there had been a series of "systematic" leaks and sensitive material could have been vulnerable.
British Transport Police conducted their own inquiry into the police handling of Mr Green's arrest although its findings have not been published in full.British Transport Police conducted their own inquiry into the police handling of Mr Green's arrest although its findings have not been published in full.
The police inquiry into the leaks continues. Mr Green has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with anything - nor has Christopher Galley, the civil servant detained on suspicion of having passed information to Mr Green.The police inquiry into the leaks continues. Mr Green has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with anything - nor has Christopher Galley, the civil servant detained on suspicion of having passed information to Mr Green.
Asked why Mr Quick would not attend, a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "An investigation is ongoing and it would therefore be inappropriate to give further details at this stage."