Jacqui Smith Defends Home Office Over Leaks

The Home Secretary has come under fire for defending the decision to call in police to investigate leaks from the Home Office.

In a Commons statement, Jacqui Smith reiterated her previous statement, that she had no prior knowledge that Shadow Immigration Minister, Damian Green, was to be arrested last Thursday in relation to an inquiry into repeated links from the Home Office. During the statement to MPs today, she also said even if she had of known, it would have been "wholly inappropriate" for her to intervene.

She added it was necessary to prevent sensitive material being made public, adding the "systematic leaks strike at the heart of Government".

Ms Smith said: "The sustained level of leaking that had already taken place suggested that this could go on, would escalate, and that more information of greater sensitivity could potentially leak."

However, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve attacked her, saying her position was "utterly flawed".

He also challenged her claims it would not be appropriate to intervene, posing the question: "Who is in charge of the police, if she isn't?"

Mr Grieve accused the Home Secretary of "washing her hands" of her responsibilities in office.

He told MPs the issues at stake were very serious: "They involve basic ministerial oversight over counter-terrorism police operations against a member of this House. Heavy-handed and incompetent at best, and at worst an unwarranted assault on our democracy."

Commons speaker Michael Martin has faced strong criticism, and calls to resign after it emerged the police raided Mr Green's office without a warrant.

The search was also authorised by the Serjeant-at-Arms without the Speaker's express permission.

The Shadow Immigration Secretary was arrested on November 27 on suspicion of misconduct, and Sir David had been notified about this.

Mr Green was held on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office and on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing.

(JM)