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Commons clash over foreign crimes Commons clash over foreign crimes
(20 minutes later)
The Home Secretary John Reid has clashed with the Conservatives over reports the Home Office ignored files on serious offences by Britons abroad.The Home Secretary John Reid has clashed with the Conservatives over reports the Home Office ignored files on serious offences by Britons abroad.
Of 540 serious criminals involved, 280 have not been entered on the Police National Computer. Mr Reid has announced an inquiry into the matter.Of 540 serious criminals involved, 280 have not been entered on the Police National Computer. Mr Reid has announced an inquiry into the matter.
There is concern offenders could have been cleared to work with children.There is concern offenders could have been cleared to work with children.
Tory leader David Cameron said Mr Reid "won't be able to run away" from responsibility if this has happened.Tory leader David Cameron said Mr Reid "won't be able to run away" from responsibility if this has happened.
On Tuesday the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said details of 27,529 cases, including 25 Britons convicted of rape, were left in files at the Home Office.On Tuesday the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said details of 27,529 cases, including 25 Britons convicted of rape, were left in files at the Home Office.
The association said they should have been entered on the PNC.The association said they should have been entered on the PNC.
In his statement to the Commons, Mr Reid said that, since Tuesday's revelation, Acpo had now entered details of only 260 of the 540 serious criminals on the Police National Computer (PNC) because of incomplete information. It's a setback to attempts to show the Home Office is under control BBC political editor Nick Robinson href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2007/01/under_control.html" class="">Read Nick's thoughts in full
In his statement to the Commons, Mr Reid said that Acpo had entered details of only 260 of the 540 serious criminals on the PNC because of incomplete information on the other offenders.
"The remaining 280 cannot be entered on the computer and are the subject of further inquiries to the notifying country to get more details to try to establish the identity of the offender," he added."The remaining 280 cannot be entered on the computer and are the subject of further inquiries to the notifying country to get more details to try to establish the identity of the offender," he added.
Shadow home secretary David Davis attacked the department's recent record as a "catalogue of blunders".Shadow home secretary David Davis attacked the department's recent record as a "catalogue of blunders".
"The last three years have been the worst three years in the Home Office's 200-year history," he said."The last three years have been the worst three years in the Home Office's 200-year history," he said.
Conclusions expectedConclusions expected
An inquiry into the Home Office's handling of the details was expected to be completed within six weeks, Mr Reid said.An inquiry into the Home Office's handling of the details was expected to be completed within six weeks, Mr Reid said.
The home secretary and the current ministers were not told about this issue of the backlog Joan Ryan,Home Office minister Q&A: Foreign crimes vetting Send us your comments
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) would be checking if any disclosures to employers about the most serious offenders needed to be examined again, he added.The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) would be checking if any disclosures to employers about the most serious offenders needed to be examined again, he added.
It's a setback to attempts to show the Home Office is under control BBC political editor Nick Robinson href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2007/01/under_control.html" class="">Read Nick's thoughts in full He said he expected to be told conclusions "in a matter of days". He said he expected to be told conclusions "in a matter of days".
Earlier, Home Office minister Joan Ryan said details of the offences were still being registered by police.Earlier, Home Office minister Joan Ryan said details of the offences were still being registered by police.
She also told BBC News "some answers" were expected on Wednesday as to whether dangerous offenders were working with children.She also told BBC News "some answers" were expected on Wednesday as to whether dangerous offenders were working with children.
'Working through'
Ms Ryan said police chiefs were "working through" details of the most serious cases.
The home secretary and the current ministers were not told about this issue of the backlog Joan Ryan,Home Office minister Q&A: Foreign crimes vetting Send us your comments
She also stressed that the current Home Office ministers were not told files sent from overseas were not registered.
Mr Reid said on Tuesday night: "This is a very serious problem and I take it very seriously indeed."
Mr Reid met with police and the CRB on Wednesday morning.
Speaking before the meeting he said its aim was to "establish the facts and satisfy myself that everything has been done to protect the public".
'Totally unacceptable'
Responsibility for updating the records was transferred from the Home Office to Acpo last year.Responsibility for updating the records was transferred from the Home Office to Acpo last year.
The cases involved included:The cases involved included:
  • 25 rapes
  • 3 attempted rapes
  • 29 paedophiles
  • 17 other sex offenders
  • 5 murders
  • 9 attempted murders
  • 13 manslaughter convictions
  • 29 robberies
  • 25 rapes
  • 3 attempted rapes
  • 29 paedophiles
  • 17 other sex offenders
  • 5 murders
  • 9 attempted murders
  • 13 manslaughter convictions
  • 29 robberies
    • Acpo spokesman Paul Kernaghan told the Commons all-party home affairs select committee that the position was "totally unacceptable" in terms of protecting the public. The details emerged during evidence given by Acpo spokesman Paul Kernaghan to the Commons all-party home affairs select committee on Tuesday.
    Mr Kernaghan, who is Hampshire's chief constable, said: "Until the Acpo criminal records office was created, someone could go to Germany, commit a sexual offence and serve a sentence - and this would not be known to any police officer when they came back to the UK." He said information on the cases had been supplied to the UK, but had been "sitting in box files" until his organisation took responsibility for them.
    He added: "The information was sitting in desk files and not entered on the PNC.
    "That is now being addressed and they are working their way through putting serious offenders on a risk-assessed basis on the PNC."