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Khan welcomes 'bugging' inquiry Khan welcomes 'bugging' inquiry
(40 minutes later)
Sadiq Khan, the Muslim Labour MP allegedly bugged as he visited a constituent in jail, has welcomed an inquiry by the justice secretary.Sadiq Khan, the Muslim Labour MP allegedly bugged as he visited a constituent in jail, has welcomed an inquiry by the justice secretary.
Jack Straw ordered the inquiry into the Sunday Times's claim that police bugged the MP's conversation with Babar Ahmad at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes.Jack Straw ordered the inquiry into the Sunday Times's claim that police bugged the MP's conversation with Babar Ahmad at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes.
The Tooting MP said he was "pleased" an inquiry had been ordered quickly.The Tooting MP said he was "pleased" an inquiry had been ordered quickly.
The US is seeking to extradite Mr Ahmad on suspicion of running websites raising funds for the Taleban. Shadow home secretary David Davis said he wrote to Gordon Brown weeks ago to warn him a Labour MP was being bugged.
Mr Khan said he had been visiting Mr Ahmad as part of his constituency work and the allegation "raises serious issues". Mr Khan said he had been visiting Mr Ahmad, who the US wants to extradite on suspicion of running websites raising funds for the Taleban, as part of his constituency work.
It is the wrong way for police to act Khalid Mahmood In profile: Sadiq KhanIt is the wrong way for police to act Khalid Mahmood In profile: Sadiq Khan
Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Khan said: "Clearly I'm concerned, and that's why I'm pleased that the Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw - as soon as he heard about these allegations yesterday - has ordered an inquiry.Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Khan said: "Clearly I'm concerned, and that's why I'm pleased that the Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw - as soon as he heard about these allegations yesterday - has ordered an inquiry.
"And I'm obviously as keen as your viewers will be to find out whether the allegations are true because the implications clearly are quite serious.""And I'm obviously as keen as your viewers will be to find out whether the allegations are true because the implications clearly are quite serious."
Mr Straw said it was "completely unacceptable" for an MP to be recorded while talking to a constituent.Mr Straw said it was "completely unacceptable" for an MP to be recorded while talking to a constituent.
HAVE YOUR SAYGiven the way some MPs act in this day and age I'd say it was about time the law was changed to allow bugging of their conversations.John ByngSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYGiven the way some MPs act in this day and age I'd say it was about time the law was changed to allow bugging of their conversations.John ByngSend us your comments
The bugging is said to have been carried out by officers from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch during visits by Mr Khan to the Milton Keynes jail in 2005 and 2006.The bugging is said to have been carried out by officers from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch during visits by Mr Khan to the Milton Keynes jail in 2005 and 2006.
The 37-year-old MP and government whip has campaigned for Mr Ahmad's release.The 37-year-old MP and government whip has campaigned for Mr Ahmad's release.
The bugging allegations concerned meetings at which he and Mr Ahmad had discussed sensitive personal and legal matters.The bugging allegations concerned meetings at which he and Mr Ahmad had discussed sensitive personal and legal matters.
The detained man faces no charges in the UK and is awaiting a decision from the European Courts to discover if he will be extradited to the US.The detained man faces no charges in the UK and is awaiting a decision from the European Courts to discover if he will be extradited to the US.
According to the newspaper, the bugging device was hidden inside a hollowed-out table in the jail's main visiting hall. Mr Khan told the BBC earlier that he had only just heard about the allegations and officials working for Mr Straw said he was informed on Saturday.
But shadow home secretary Mr Davis said he had warned the prime minister weeks ago a Labour MP was being bugged - but received no reply nor any indication action had been taken.
Mr David said he had been passed information that security services were tapping an MP's conversations and asked if it meant the "Wilson Convention" rules banning such actions had been abandoned.
According to the Sunday Times, the bugging device was hidden inside a hollowed-out table in the jail's main visiting hall.
The paper says it has seen a document showing there were internal concerns about bugging the MP, who is also a lawyer, but it went ahead anyway.The paper says it has seen a document showing there were internal concerns about bugging the MP, who is also a lawyer, but it went ahead anyway.
Scotland Yard said it was not prepared to comment on the claims.Scotland Yard said it was not prepared to comment on the claims.
The US is currently seeking to extradite Babar AhmadThe US is currently seeking to extradite Babar Ahmad
Mr Straw said he had no knowledge of the facts but has ordered an internal inquiry.Mr Straw said he had no knowledge of the facts but has ordered an internal inquiry.
He added: "It is completely unacceptable for an interview to be conducted by a MP on a constituent matter or in any other issue to be recorded."He added: "It is completely unacceptable for an interview to be conducted by a MP on a constituent matter or in any other issue to be recorded."
The bugging of MPs by police has been barred since 1966. A principle was established by Harold Wilson's government, following a series of eavesdropping scandals, that conversations between constituents and their MPs should be confidential.The bugging of MPs by police has been barred since 1966. A principle was established by Harold Wilson's government, following a series of eavesdropping scandals, that conversations between constituents and their MPs should be confidential.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the allegations relating to Mr Khan were "extremely serious".International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the allegations relating to Mr Khan were "extremely serious".
He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I think there will be deep concern on all sides of the House of Commons if these allegations prove to be founded."He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I think there will be deep concern on all sides of the House of Commons if these allegations prove to be founded."
Mr Alexander also praised Mr Khan's "measured and responsible" reaction.Mr Alexander also praised Mr Khan's "measured and responsible" reaction.
Other MPs have reacted angrily to the revelations.
'Highly questionable'
Khalid Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said it sent out a difficult message, not just for Muslim people but for British people.
"I don't think for a minute Sadiq Khan would do anything not in the interests of this country. He is a member of this country, of parliament and is a whip and what has happened is highly questionable," he said.
"It's very regrettable. This member of Parliament deserves the respect which he has been given by his constituents.
"If he felt there was an issue of national interest Mr Khan himself would have made police aware. It is the wrong way for police to act."
His views were echoed by Thurrock MP Andrew McKinlay said it was "wholly unacceptable" for MPs to be under surveillance.