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04/02/2008
Probe Into Unlawful Bugging Allegations
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has ordered a probe into the alleged claims that police may have unlawfully bugged an MP.
A letter sent to Government by Shadow Home Secretary David Davis warned that counter-terrorism officers secretly recorded discussions between Labour MP Sadiq Khan and Babar Ahmad - a constituent and childhood friend - who is in prison awaiting deportation to the US.
Mr Straw, who is expected to make a statement to the Commons today, said he has no knowledge of what had happened but that it is "completely unacceptable" for MPs' conversations to be recorded.
The conversations alleged to have been recorded took place in 2005 and 2006 at Woodhill Prison, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
A code known as the Wilson Doctrine forbids the covert recording of conversations between MPs and their constituents. The Commons home affairs select committee said it would investigate the allegations as part of its inquiry into the "surveillance society".
Committee chairman Keith Vaz will be questioning senior police officers with responsibility for counter-terrorism, together with Home Office Minister Tony McNulty. Mr Vaz has said if the allegations are true, they will take the surveillance society into an entirely new dimension.
Police are allowed to monitor prisoners' communications but such operations must be approved first by the surveillance commissioner who weighs them up on a case-by-case basis.
Scotland Yard has refused to comment on the allegations, made in the Sunday Times.
(GC)
A letter sent to Government by Shadow Home Secretary David Davis warned that counter-terrorism officers secretly recorded discussions between Labour MP Sadiq Khan and Babar Ahmad - a constituent and childhood friend - who is in prison awaiting deportation to the US.
Mr Straw, who is expected to make a statement to the Commons today, said he has no knowledge of what had happened but that it is "completely unacceptable" for MPs' conversations to be recorded.
The conversations alleged to have been recorded took place in 2005 and 2006 at Woodhill Prison, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
A code known as the Wilson Doctrine forbids the covert recording of conversations between MPs and their constituents. The Commons home affairs select committee said it would investigate the allegations as part of its inquiry into the "surveillance society".
Committee chairman Keith Vaz will be questioning senior police officers with responsibility for counter-terrorism, together with Home Office Minister Tony McNulty. Mr Vaz has said if the allegations are true, they will take the surveillance society into an entirely new dimension.
Police are allowed to monitor prisoners' communications but such operations must be approved first by the surveillance commissioner who weighs them up on a case-by-case basis.
Scotland Yard has refused to comment on the allegations, made in the Sunday Times.
(GC)
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