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Tory David Davis could face police investigation over 'security leaks'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor11 Dec 2008
TORY MP David Davis faces a possible police investigation over his claims that his party has been passed national security secrets, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell signalled today.
As he gave evidence to MPs about the arrest of Tory Damian Green over Home Office leaks, Sir Gus said he was worried that Mr Davis had received information "that is potentially quite damaging".
The head of the civil service told the Commons public administration select committee he had heard MrDavis in a BBC interview on 28November.
"He said, and I'm quoting now, 'Our job when that information comes to us is to make a judgment, is it in the public interest that this should be made public or not? In about half the cases, we decide not because we think there are reasons, perhaps of national security or military or terrorism reasons, not to put [it] into the public domain'," Sir Gus said.
"That implies about half the things being received are of national security interest so I am worried that there is a real problem. I stress not necessarily in this particular investigation."
Sir Gus said it was "a matter for the police" as to whether they wanted to investigate such claims, but he made clear that Whitehall would do so.
When asked if Mr Davis should have handed the material back to the Government or to the police, the Cabinet Secretary said: "That's something, since his statement, that we will be pursuing."
Sir Gus also suggested that the police should have cooperated more closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions before arresting Mr Green. Police had failed to learn the lessons of the "cash for honours" probe, he implied.
He also revealed that the Government was considering calling in police over leaks from the pre-Budget report about the cut in VAT and the supertax. He said these were "market-sensitive cases".
Conservative MP Charles Walker attacked Sir Gus's handling of the Green affair, describing it as "almost a Whitehall farce" that a junior civil servant with past Tory political links was not identified prior to police involvement.
Sir Gus said a private investigator had looked into the matter but failed to find the mole. He denied that any ministers had been involved in the decision to refer the matter to police, but said Cabinet Office minister Liam Byrne was told about the arrest of civil servant Christopher Galley "simply as a courtesy".
Reader views (16)
Hey Keith. Guess what? If you really thought that you were about to live in a Zanu-type one party state, I don't think you be posting stuff on the internet that is critical of the government. And if you did, you wouldn't be putting your own name to it, would you?
- Paul Evans, London, 12/12/2008 11:26
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Methinks Sir Gus has missed the point here. The tories may receive information but as an allegedly responsible opposition they choose not to reveal anything that might carry a security risk.
It's clear that Sir Gus does not understand the working of a westminster style of government.
- Chaz, Perth, Australia, 12/12/2008 01:31
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Ah, the arrests have started, initiated by Mgabe Brown and his cohorts.
As Mr Brown of old admitted using leaks, and there is no statute of limitations on the crime, will Scotland Yard now visit No. 10 and arrest the the incumbent and charge him?
I think not.
- Hugh, Middx, 12/12/2008 00:05
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Communist New Labour/Labour,what a mess they have made of a once proud country!!!
- Mark A, london england, 11/12/2008 22:56
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The whole thing shows Labour's utter contempt for opposition, which tends to be how left-wing administrations go. When they try to scotch opposition they just show their loathing for democracy. What's pretty shocking in this has been the low level of public disquiet- it seems in Labour's Britain democracy has become so side-lined that it's become part of the national consciousness. People seem happy for opposition MPs to be intimidated and not bat an eyelid.
- Richard, London, UK, 11/12/2008 22:41
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If Brown`s party carry on this way, by next year all the opposition MPs wil have been arrested or "under investigation".
Arriving soon, the one party Zanu-Labour state ?
- Keith Ducain, Dagenham, UK, 11/12/2008 18:45
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Someone has to pass the information. That 'someone' must be privy to considerable classified material and yet we only hear of the 'opposition' politicians receiving it.Are we really expected to believe that no one within Labour knows any 'secrets' other than the Executive.
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 11/12/2008 18:08
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If it is a matter of national security, then surely the Shadow Home Secretary should have been being briefed *anyway* on Privy Council terms. Are the police suggesting either (a) that the Government is using vital material in what is normally considered a non-partisan area for party advantage? or (b) that the Opposition is a threat to national security? If not, who is putting that spin on it?
- Guy Herbert, London W1, 11/12/2008 17:34
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Looks like we will need to build some more prison space. Planners will have to remember the champagne dispensers in each cell. well the tories prosecuted those who leaked their secrets when they were in power.
Perhaps their jealous because when it comes to policies they have 'ol mother hubbards cupboard'.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 11/12/2008 17:12
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This is a brazen insult to David Davis, who is one of the most responsible and reliable persons to deal with matters of national interest.
- Marsden, London, UK, 11/12/2008 17:02
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Frank
Sir Gus is not a member of the Labour Party as he's a civil servant which means he can't personally have a political allegiance. Indeed, Sir Gus was John Major's press secretary.
- Bobby Gillespie, SE1, London, 11/12/2008 16:54
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The police are fast becoming an arm of the ruling Government - it's aim is to stifle all opposition and there is more to come!
- Otto, England, 11/12/2008 16:52
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Sir Gus? These socialists with titles make me laugh.
Comrade Sir Gus! No, doesn't really work does it. Stalin will be turning over in his grave because of this communist Labour entity.
Labour do not know whether they are coming or going, politically or otherwise.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 11/12/2008 15:58
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I wonder if the Met will also investigate the mystery Scotsman who was the recipient of a stream of leaks from HM Treasury in the early 1990's? There appears to be plenty of TV evidence to help identify the man involved, and I think we know where he now lives. Some of his mates at the time had hotlines from the Civil Service as well, so there should be a nice file for the CPS to review when the Met has completed its investigations.
- David H, Aylesbury, England, 11/12/2008 15:57
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Now Gorden Brown really is behaving like Stalin! I don't like him as Superman either.
- Jp Chanet, Surrey, 11/12/2008 15:39
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Closer and closer this country adopts the policies of the Brown Shirts of old.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 11/12/2008 15:25
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