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Tory MP Green will not be charged Tory MP Green will not be charged
(10 minutes later)
Tory MP Damian Green, who was arrested as part of an inquiry over Home Office leaks, will not face charges.Tory MP Damian Green, who was arrested as part of an inquiry over Home Office leaks, will not face charges.
There was "insufficient evidence" to bring a court case against the shadow immigration minister, the Crown Prosecution Service said.There was "insufficient evidence" to bring a court case against the shadow immigration minister, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Christopher Galley, the Home Office worker who leaked information to Mr Green, will not face charges either.Christopher Galley, the Home Office worker who leaked information to Mr Green, will not face charges either.
Mr Green, who was arrested last November, said he was "very pleased" at the decision.Mr Green, who was arrested last November, said he was "very pleased" at the decision.
The Ashford MP and Mr Galley have always denied any wrongdoing over the leaks, which related to immigration and crime issues. The Ashford MP and Mr Galley have always denied any wrongdoing over the leaks, forwarded to the press, which related to immigration and crime.
'Press freedom' 'Out of touch'
Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer was asked to look at claims that Mr Galley had committed misconduct in public office and that Mr Green had aided, abetted, counselled or procured such an offence. Mr Green, speaking outside Parliament, said: "I'm obviously very pleased with the director of public prosecution's decision this morning."
In a statement, he said there was a "high threshold before criminal proceedings can properly be brought", and that he had considered the "freedom of the press to publish information and ideas on matters of public interest". He added: "This has been an extraordinary period. One of my jobs... is to expose the many failings of the government's immigration policy. That's precisely what I was doing in this case and that's why ministers were so embarrassed...
The search of his parliamentary office and the way it took place was highly questionable Damian Green's lawyer In full: CPS Green statement The search of his parliamentary office and the way it took place was highly questionable Damian Green's lawyer In full: CPS Green statement
Mr Starmer added: "I have concluded that there is evidence upon which a jury might find that there was damage to the proper functioning of the Home Office. "I cannot think of a better symbol of an out-of-touch, authoritarian failing government that's been in power too long."
"Such damage should not be underestimated. However, it has to be recognised that some damage to the proper functioning of public institutions is almost inevitable in every case where restricted and/or confidential information is leaked." Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer was asked to look at claims that Mr Galley had committed misconduct in public office and that Mr Green had aided, abetted, counselled or procured such an offence.
In his statement, Mr Starmer said there was a "high threshold before criminal proceedings can properly be brought", and that he had considered the "freedom of the press to publish information and ideas on matters of public interest".
He added: "I have concluded that the information leaked was not secret information or information affecting national security."He added: "I have concluded that the information leaked was not secret information or information affecting national security."
There was "insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against Mr Galley or Mr Green".There was "insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against Mr Galley or Mr Green".
Mr Green has always said he was releasing information the information conveyed to him in the public interest.Mr Green has always said he was releasing information the information conveyed to him in the public interest.
His arrest followed a series of leaks:His arrest followed a series of leaks:
• In November 2007 a series of Home Office memos was published showing that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had been warned four months earlier that thousands of illegal immigrants had been cleared to work in sensitive Whitehall security jobs.• In November 2007 a series of Home Office memos was published showing that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had been warned four months earlier that thousands of illegal immigrants had been cleared to work in sensitive Whitehall security jobs.
• In February last year, an e-mail to Liam Byrne, then a Home Office minister, was published, revealing that he was informed about an illegal Brazilian immigrant who allegedly worked in Parliament on a fake ID card.• In February last year, an e-mail to Liam Byrne, then a Home Office minister, was published, revealing that he was informed about an illegal Brazilian immigrant who allegedly worked in Parliament on a fake ID card.
• A letter also emerged from Ms Smith to Prime Minister Gordon Brown warning that a recession would lead to a rise in crime. The Home Office said the letter was draft advice that had not been cleared by Ms Smith and had not yet been sent to 10 Downing Street.• A letter also emerged from Ms Smith to Prime Minister Gordon Brown warning that a recession would lead to a rise in crime. The Home Office said the letter was draft advice that had not been cleared by Ms Smith and had not yet been sent to 10 Downing Street.
• A further leak saw the publication of a list of Labour MPs considered likely to rebel against the Government's plans to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge.• A further leak saw the publication of a list of Labour MPs considered likely to rebel against the Government's plans to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge.
Mr Green was arrested and held by the Metropolitan Police for nine hours on 27 November.Mr Green was arrested and held by the Metropolitan Police for nine hours on 27 November.
His offices in Kent and in the Houses of Parliament and home were also searched. Mr Green was later released on bail.His offices in Kent and in the Houses of Parliament and home were also searched. Mr Green was later released on bail.
'Police must learn''Police must learn'
The parliamentary search took place without a warrant, after an official gave police permission.The parliamentary search took place without a warrant, after an official gave police permission.
MPs from all parties complained that these actions could undermine the ability of politicians to hold the government to account, and raised concerns that the confidentiality of information held about constituents could be at risk.MPs from all parties complained that these actions could undermine the ability of politicians to hold the government to account, and raised concerns that the confidentiality of information held about constituents could be at risk.
In a statement, Mr Green's lawyer, Michael Caplan, said: "Mr Green has always emphatically denied these allegations.In a statement, Mr Green's lawyer, Michael Caplan, said: "Mr Green has always emphatically denied these allegations.
"The police need now to learn the lessons from their operations. There was no necessity to arrest Mr Green. He should have been asked to attend the police station voluntarily.""The police need now to learn the lessons from their operations. There was no necessity to arrest Mr Green. He should have been asked to attend the police station voluntarily."
He added: "The search of his parliamentary office and the way it took place was highly questionable and no proper regard was given to issues of parliamentary privilege."He added: "The search of his parliamentary office and the way it took place was highly questionable and no proper regard was given to issues of parliamentary privilege."
Earlier, the Commons home affairs select committee said civil servants had "exaggerated" the importance of the information passed across in order to prompt an investigation.Earlier, the Commons home affairs select committee said civil servants had "exaggerated" the importance of the information passed across in order to prompt an investigation.
Its chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, said: "I'm sure it's a great relief to Damian Green that this situation is over."Its chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, said: "I'm sure it's a great relief to Damian Green that this situation is over."