Defiant police to press on with MP leak investigation

Senior officers held urgent talks at Scotland Yard this morning to discuss the case in the wake of the barrage of criticism from politicians of all parties over the MP's arrest.

Police chiefs were said to have been surprised by the scale of the criticism - particularly that levelled against deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson who oversaw the investigation.

But insiders said they were was no question of abandoning the inquiry.Detectives were today examining documents and material from computers and would be holding talks with the Crown Prosecution Service about where to go next.

One insider said: "We are not going to pull the plug on this. We are looking at the evidence and if the evidence is there we will see where it takes us."

Privately, Scotland Yard officers defended their actions saying the decision to arrest the MP was made after careful consideration. One said: "They looked at all the options and based on the need to gather evidence it was felt that the only safe option was to carry out an arrest. It was about securing the best evidence. "

Sir Paul took temporary charge of the Met today after Sir Ian Blair's resignation. He has been criticised for his role overseeing the investigation.

As the acting head of the force he ultimately approved the decision to arrest the shadow minister. But that move was described by one senior officer as "totally catastrophic".

Fresh details emerged today of how Boris Johnson, as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, also questioned the decision to arrest the MP when he was told of the move beforehand by Sir Paul.

A senior City Hall source said: "Boris questioned whether it was necessary. He told him he would need convincing evidence that it was appropriate to arrest him rather than bring him in for questioning.

"He remains to be convinced that Damian Green had to be arrested by nine counter-terrorism officers.

"But he will now stand back and let the police get on with it. He was very careful not to in any way try to tell Sir Paul what to do."

The source also suggested Sir Paul had been put in a difficult situation as he was told about the operation by anti-terror chief Bob Quick before he became acting Met Commissioner.

Despite that, the Mayor was keeping an "open mind" about Sir Paul's decision.

Some police officials say that Sir Paul's decision effectively to approve the operation raises questions over his judgment.

One MPA official said: "Why did the Met agree to a criminal inquiry? What this all hinges on is judgment and proportionality. Sir Paul has got a huge problem with this and I think this could damage his prospects."

Others at the MPA said there was more behind the arrest.

A senior member said: "I cannot imagine that, after all the furore over cash-for-honours, an organisation at this level could have allowed this to have gone ahead unless there was absolute cast-iron evidence.

"If they have, they deserve everything they get. But I think there is more to it."