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MPs question Boris over raid on Tory
Nicholas Cecil03.02.09
BORIS Johnson faced fresh questions today from Labour MPs over his role in the Damian Green affair.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the all-party home affairs committee, was writing to the London Mayor seeking urgent clarification over when he first spoke to David Cameron about the police swooping on Mr Green.
Labour MPs on the committee had earlier questioned Mr Johnson, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, on whether he had tipped off the Tory leader. The Mayor admitted he had spoken to Mr Cameron about the matter at 3pm at a service in memory of Damilola Taylor at Southwark Cathedral on 27 November last year, the day of the arrest. However, after the meeting, he told Mr Vaz he had in fact spoken to the Tory leader at least about two hours earlier. Mr Vaz described the apparent discrepancy as "very serious".
After the meeting, Mr Johnson told the Evening Standard he now remembered speaking to the Tory leader at about 1pm but he already knew about the arrest of shadow immmigration minister Mr Green as part of a leak inquiry.
However, Mr Vaz claimed the Mayor had told him he discussed the issue with Mr Cameron earlier.
Mr Johnson said he was first informed by the now Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson to brace himself for "a controversy involving an MP" at 10am on the day of the arrest.
At around 1pm, Sir Paul called the Mayor's team to inform him that it was Mr Green who had been arrested, he said. Mr Johnson said he phoned Sir Paul back to tell him there would be "a hoohah or a kerfuffle or a commotion or a controversy".
Mr Johnson said: "I think the phrase I used was that 'this thing will go off like a rocket' and that we would need to have pretty good reason to think that the arrest of an MP was not a disproportionate response." He added that he felt leak inquiries should generally be dealt with by internal disciplinary procedures rather than calling in the police.
Police are still continuing their enquiries into whether Mr Green or the civil servant who allegedly leaked Home Office documents should face prosecution for any offence.
Reader views (12)
Boris is ducking and diving on this one to avoid having to say exactly what he knew, when he knew it and how he got to know it.
Every time he is pressed on the matter he changes his story.
He should be made to give a full account, under oath, of his involvement in this affair and judged accordingly.
The smokescreen being put up by Boris and Dave suggests to me that we have not yet heard the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
So Boris, it is up to you to give your final, hopefully truthful, account of these events and be judged accordingly.
If you are innocent, you should have nothing to worry about.
- Andrew, London
How dumb can Labour get? Do they really think the public will buy this latest piece of Nu-Lab spin?
They are trying to work the old ploy of "attack is the best form of defence", but I'm afraid it won't work this time boys, you are too deep in the mire to dig yourself out that easily.
- Peter Thurgood, London UK
Oh yeah, 'cos that Vaz is whiter than white isn't he, the very model of morality.
- Giles Pepperell, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales
Typical of Vaz and NuLabour. This hold business is an afront and is offensive in the extreme.
- Keith Price, Luton
Talk about pot and kettle. The arrogance of this government knows no bounds.
- Roger Slade, Winchester, Hampshire, England
Vaz is the epitomy of the old saying "when can you tell a politician is lying - his lips move"
- Michael Murphy, brightlingsea england
How often have we heard the CPS stating '..we are still awaiting a report from the police..'. The length of time that Mr Green has been on police bail must, in itself, be a cause for action for abuse of process. The current enquiry being conducted within Parliament over the actions of the police must also be jeopardising any potential case against Mr Green. If he, or the the civil servant involved, were ever charged with any offences do the prosecution really believe that a jury will convict either of them after the publicity that has been generated since the invasion of Parliament?. Sir Paul Stephenson should call a halt to this whole fiasco immediately and agree to pay suitable damages and refund any legal fees back to Mr Green.
- Pat, Croydon Uk
The Tories are all over the place when it comes to the Law. They insist that they are the Party of Law and Order but they favour Parliamentary Leaking, Tax Evasion, Speeding and Banking Fraud. i think that they like Laws that affect working class people but believe the middle classes should be left alone.
- Terry Trotter, Chingford England
Daid Camoron should also be called to the Committee to explain when he knew and what Boris told him. It gave the great PR man an opportunity to make political capital out of a sensile Leak enquiry. When Dave is King will he find leaks so wonderful?
- Arthur Andrews, Ilford England
why did vas loose his job as minister for europe??no mr vas you know why people dont throw stones when they live in glasshouses. as for boris keep up the good work
- John Green, nottingham
This is all political rubbish, a smoke screen to cover up Labours nasty minded blundering. Anyhow, how can anyone take anything Keith Vaz has to say seriously given his unpleasant and slippery history. Nice bit of Government stooging from one commentator here.
- Mark, London, UK
One would dearly love to see Johnson eat humble pie. He's got carried away with his own importance. No doubt he tipped off his pals so that they could prepare get the most publicity out of the raid.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex
