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Prosecutors still waiting for Tory MP arrest evidence
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor09.01.09
PROSECUTORS are still waiting for potentially crucial police evidence that could determine whether charges are brought against Tory MP Damian Green, it was revealed today.
The disclosure was made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, as he announced that the investigation is at a "very sensitive stage" and that he will personally oversee the decision on Mr Green's fate.
Mr Starmer dashed Tory hopes that Mr Green will be cleared soon by warning that the decision will not be rushed, but pledged to deliver his verdict as soon as "reasonably practical".
The DPP's comments came during his first media briefing since he took over as the country's top prosecutor late last year.
A storm erupted after the arrest of Mr Green and civil servant Chris Galley over alleged leaks of confidential Home Office documents.
Both were arrested in November with the Tory MP being held by police for nine hours on suspicion of "grooming" the civil servant in a conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
Anger over the arrests was heightened by a police raid on Mr Green's Commons office and by a subsequent allegation by Met Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick - which he was later forced to retract - that the Conservatives had put his family at risk by leaking details of his home address.
Mr Starmer today said: "We have some material, I anticipate more. We are now at a very, very sensitive stage. But it is not a decision that can be hurried."
The DPP said prosecutors would have to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to charge either Mr Green or Mr Galley, and whether it was in the public interest to do so.
Reader views (5)
mr starmer speaks in typical forked tongue manner for a scribe. "sensitive stage" probably means deciding what is going to be the least damaging course to take for his controller jackboot jacqui and her gang.
busting it all open in court would certainly be the best for the country but when did this lot ever put this country before themselves
- Philip Smith, seaford england
If Damien Green is proscuted then should also Gordon Brown be proscuted he has been on the television stating what he has done and I am sure I read that Labour use to pay for the information. If I was Mr Green I would sue the Met for compensation and put it into the Tory coffers. and also would demand that they purchase a new computer also what have they done with the information that was on the computer. I do hope that Labour does not use a trumped up charge take Mr Green to court then throw the case out the tactics Labour is using is akin to a third world country such as Zimbarbwe
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs
The reason why it is not forthcoming is (i). Because Fat Bob and his henchnmen are trying to justify their actions to the CPS. (ii). Any 'evidence' that is put forward is most likely to be challenged as inadmissible, due to the breach and misuse of search powers. (iii). I suspect there are behind the scenes attempts at a compromise solution, where no further action is recommended under the catch all case disposal of 'not being in the public interest',(in other words we havn't got enough evidence in the first place). (iv). In exchange Mr Green will be 'invited' to forego his right to sue the Met for substantial damages, and will also refrain from speaking in public about the matter.
- Pete, Croydon Uk
The sentence "Mr Starmer dashed Tory hopes that Mr Green will be cleared soon by warning that the decision will not be rushed" really bothers me.
Despite being arrested, held for 9 hours and having his home and office raided in the quest to find evidence-after-arrest, Mr Green has not been charged with any crime. Under the laws of England and Wales he remains innocent until prooved guilty. He is already 'clear' - what we are waiting for is ANY EVIDENCE AT ALL that he has ever been guilty of any crime whatsoever.
Britain is a Police State - yet no-one seems too bothered about this because of some ancient unwritten social crime of being a Tory.
- Roz, Chamonix, France
Does he have to wait for Lord Mandys permission?
- Richard, France
