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Inquiry ordered into recording of prisoners' calls to MPs Inquiry ordered into recording of prisoners' calls to MPs
(35 minutes later)
An investigation into the recording of telephone calls between prisoners and their constituency MPs has been ordered by the justice secretary.An investigation into the recording of telephone calls between prisoners and their constituency MPs has been ordered by the justice secretary.
Chris Grayling said confidential conversations may have been taped and listened to by prison staff.Chris Grayling said confidential conversations may have been taped and listened to by prison staff.
He said the monitoring may have taken place between 2006 and 2012, before the government "tightened up" the system.He said the monitoring may have taken place between 2006 and 2012, before the government "tightened up" the system.
Mr Grayling apologised to the Commons and said at least 32 current MPs could have been affected.Mr Grayling apologised to the Commons and said at least 32 current MPs could have been affected.
He also said a small number of calls between prisoners and their lawyers could also have been "accidentally" recorded.He also said a small number of calls between prisoners and their lawyers could also have been "accidentally" recorded.
Prison rules
The justice secretary told MPs an independent investigation would be carried out by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick.The justice secretary told MPs an independent investigation would be carried out by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick.
The investigation will report back by the end of the month to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place, and a full report will be published by early 2015.
"This issue stretches back to 2006 and primarily relates to the period prior to autumn 2012 when this government made changes to tighten up the system," Mr Grayling said."This issue stretches back to 2006 and primarily relates to the period prior to autumn 2012 when this government made changes to tighten up the system," Mr Grayling said.
"This is a serious matter and I would like to start by apologising to the House on behalf of my department for any interception of communications between a prisoner and their constituency MP.""This is a serious matter and I would like to start by apologising to the House on behalf of my department for any interception of communications between a prisoner and their constituency MP."
He said prison rules clearly state that phone calls between MPs and prisoners who are their constituents must be treated as confidential.
Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan asked if there was any evidence the information had been passed on to senior officials.
Mr Grayling said there was no evidence to suggest that was the case and most of the recordings had been destroyed.