| last updated: Wednesday 3 December 2008, 06:54am |  Print this page |
Senior officer to probe MP arrest
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| MP Damian Green |
A senior officer will review the procedures used in the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.
The 52-year-old was quizzed for nine hours by anti-terror officers and his office was searched after he was held as part of an inquiry into Home Office leaks, causing fury among Conservatives and other backbench MPs.
The Metropolitan Police said it called for the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, Ian Johnston, to carry out an 'urgent review of our decisions, actions and handling of the investigation to date'.
Mr Johnston has been asked to produce the report within seven days and a final review within two weeks.
The Met's Acting Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said: 'I am properly concerned about the issues being raised within the continuing debate surrounding the ongoing investigation into the leaking of government information.'
Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman has already condemned the heavy-handed use of nine officers in the arrest.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said he understood MPs' concern over the arrest, but added it was 'ridiculous' to describe the arrest as a sign that Britain had become a 'police state'.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has insisted she knew nothing about the police's impending action until detectives had swooped.
She said MPs had the right to use information they received, but that police must be able to probe leaks of sensitive information.
MPs of all parties have also questioned why Commons Speaker Michael Martin apparently gave police permission to enter Parliament and search Green's office.
Mr Martin is due to make a statement on the affair on Wednesday after parliament returns from recess for the Queen's Speech.
However, the Conservatives have accused ministers of trying to influence Mr Martin by arranging a secret meeting with him to discuss his response.
Mr Green was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of 'conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office and aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office'.
Police said they acted after receiving a complaint from the Cabinet Office, the department in charge of the rules governing the conduct of government employees and ministers.
Mr Green, who denies all wrongdoing, is on bail pending further questioning in February.
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