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Scotland Yard urged to publish report into Damian Green arrest
Joe Murphy, Political Editor17 Dec 2008
SCOTLAND Yard came under pressure today to publish a report showing that serious mistakes were made in the raid on Tory MP Damian Green.
The external review found that detectives breached policy and guidelines when they entered the Commons to search his office and take away files in the hunt for a Whitehall mole.
Key findings, revealed in the Standard last week, are understood to be that the raid and arrest on 27 November were not justified by a need to protect evidence, because a week had elapsed since the arrest of Mr Green's alleged source, civil servant Christopher Galley. In addition police failed to advise explicitly the Commons Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay that she could refuse to allow the search.
Police were today said to be preparing to drop the inquiry into Mr Green in the light of the criticism. In the Commons last night, Conservatives said it showed "serious failings" and urged Speaker Michael Martin to intervene and demand that a full copy of the report be handed over to Parliament.
The Speaker was meeting legal advisers today to consider whether to demand immediate publication.
The report was written by British Transport Police Chief Constable Ian Johnston, who was called in to review the handling of the case after a furious reaction from MPs to the admission that the Commons permitted a search without a warrant.
Reader views (3)
Stephenson has just proved beyond doubt that he is nothing but another Nu Lab yes man desperate to take over from Blair. He should be bared from the job and the report should be published forthwith !
- Duncan Waklker, Ex Peckham now Thailand, 18/12/2008 09:32
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Having played a major part in authorizing Damian Greens arrest, Sir Paul Stephenson should withdraw his application for Commissioner.
His serious misjudgement and willingness to succomb to party political pressure ranks him as clearly unsuitable.
Comparisons with his predecessor are hard to avoid.
- Jon Dee, N Warks UK, 17/12/2008 16:13
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We have still not yet learned the identity of the Met Officer who orchestrated this farce or for that matter why he allowed his plods to mislead everyone involved.
- Mel Craig, Bexhill on Sea, 17/12/2008 13:42
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