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13/03/2006
Goldsmith accepts Met Chief's apology
The Attorney General has accepted an apology from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair after he admitted secretly taping phone conversations.
A spokesperson for Lord Goldsmith said that he had accepted the apology and now considered the matter closed.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tony Blair also said that he had "full confidence" in Sir Ian.
On Monday, Metropolitan Police Authority Chairman Len Duvall met with senior officers of the Metropolitan Police and later issued a statement, which said: "I have made it clear to the Commissioner that it is wholly unacceptable for private telephone conversations to be recorded without the knowledge and consent of both parties involved. The Commissioner accepts this and has given me an assurance this will never happen again.
"Following my discussions this afternoon I am satisfied that the Commissioner recorded only six calls since he came into office in February 2005. Sir Ian has expressed regret for not agreeing with the individuals concerned that the calls could be recorded."
The 52-year-old head of the Metropolitan Police, who took the reins of the force in February 2005, had faced calls for his resignation from rights groups and from senior members of the London police authority.
It emerged that Sir Ian had recorded conversations with the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, in September last year.
A police spokesperson said that Sir Ian had taped three conversations with members of the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the shooting of Charles de Menezes. It was confirmed that another conversation with the Attorney General regarding wire tap evidence was also recorded.
The spokesperson said that there had been no attempt by police to conceal the recording of the conversations.
According to telecoms regulator Ofcom, it is not illegal for people to record conversations that are for their own use. However, it is understood that legal problems would arise if these recordings were to be shared with third parties. Under civil law consent from the person being recorded must be obtained.
(SP/GB)
A spokesperson for Lord Goldsmith said that he had accepted the apology and now considered the matter closed.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tony Blair also said that he had "full confidence" in Sir Ian.
On Monday, Metropolitan Police Authority Chairman Len Duvall met with senior officers of the Metropolitan Police and later issued a statement, which said: "I have made it clear to the Commissioner that it is wholly unacceptable for private telephone conversations to be recorded without the knowledge and consent of both parties involved. The Commissioner accepts this and has given me an assurance this will never happen again.
"Following my discussions this afternoon I am satisfied that the Commissioner recorded only six calls since he came into office in February 2005. Sir Ian has expressed regret for not agreeing with the individuals concerned that the calls could be recorded."
The 52-year-old head of the Metropolitan Police, who took the reins of the force in February 2005, had faced calls for his resignation from rights groups and from senior members of the London police authority.
It emerged that Sir Ian had recorded conversations with the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, in September last year.
A police spokesperson said that Sir Ian had taped three conversations with members of the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the shooting of Charles de Menezes. It was confirmed that another conversation with the Attorney General regarding wire tap evidence was also recorded.
The spokesperson said that there had been no attempt by police to conceal the recording of the conversations.
According to telecoms regulator Ofcom, it is not illegal for people to record conversations that are for their own use. However, it is understood that legal problems would arise if these recordings were to be shared with third parties. Under civil law consent from the person being recorded must be obtained.
(SP/GB)
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