Ashford Tory MP arrested over leaks (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Ashford Tory MP arrested over leaks

November 27, 2008 11:28 PM

The Conservative immigration spokesman and Ashford MP Damian Green, has been arrested in connection with an investigation into a series of leaks from the Home Office. The Liberal Democrats have defended Mr Green, standing up for the right of MPs to release information in the public interest.

He was held on suspicion of "conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office," the Metropolitan Police said. He has not been charged but is still being questioned by police.

Neil Matthews, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe, commented:

"The Met Police must be very careful and sure of their facts when arresting an Member of Parliament in circumstances like this. If information that is in the public interest and is made available to an MP, then that MP has that right to put that information into the public domain."

Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said:

"Receiving information from Government departments in the public interest and publicising it is a key part of any MP's role.

"This is the most worrying development for many years, with the potential to shift power even more conclusively from Parliament to the Government. It is also extraordinary considering Gordon Brown himself as Shadow Chancellor received and publicised many leaked official documents.

"It seems that either the law needs to be changed, or the police have overstepped the mark."

Shepway Liberal Democrats