Immigration Leak Policing Slammed

The arrest and detention of an MP and his civil service 'mole' who revealed details of immigration scandals was a lawful move - but question mark remains over manner of what has been widely described as a 'heavy-handed' operation.

Scotland Yard was today strongly criticised over the handling of the arrest of the Tory immigration spokesman, Damian Green, as part of its investigation into a Home Office leak inquiry.

The report by Ian Johnston, the British Transport Police Chief Constable, published today, concludes that the four key leaked documents involved material that was hostile and embarrassing to the government but crucially "did not amount to a threat to national security".

However, he concludes that the arrest and searches of both the Tory MP and the alleged Home Office mole, Christopher Galley, were carried out on a legal basis.

Ian Johnston, who was asked by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, to carry out an inquiry into the Green affair, says it could have been done in a different way.

Scotland Yard could have arrested the MP by prior appointment and with his lawyer present.

The Conservative immigration spokesman was held for nine hours while police officers searched his home and offices.

When it happened, last December, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other cabinet ministers denied any prior knowledge of the arrest.

In the absence of a search warrant, the Parliamentary Sergeant at Arms Jill Pay authorised police access to Mr Green's offices.

Mr Martin said he was made aware of the search, but was not told that police did not have a warrant.

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