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Senior Tory arrested over leaks Senior Tory arrested over leaks
(30 minutes later)
Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green, was arrested earlier in connection with an investigation into a series of leaks from the Home Office.Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green, was arrested earlier in connection with an investigation into a series of leaks from the Home Office.
He was held on suspicion of "conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office," the Metropolitan Police said.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 being questioned by police. The Conservatives say he denies any wrongdoing. He has not been charged but is still being questioned by police. The Tories say he denies any wrongdoing.
It is believed to be connected to the arrest of a man suspected of being a Home Office whistleblower.It is believed to be connected to the arrest of a man suspected of being a Home Office whistleblower.
Series of leaksSeries of leaks
The BBC understands that a junior Home Office official was suspended from duty ten days ago over a number of leaks and the matter was referred to police. He was arrested but not charged. The BBC understands that a junior Home Office official was suspended from duty 10 days ago over a number of leaks and the matter was referred to police. He was arrested but not charged.
It follows a series of leaks, including the news that an illegal immigrant had been employed as a Commons cleaner and a letter from the home secretary warning that a recession could lead to a rise in crime. It follows a series of leaks, including:
Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest Conservative Party
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  • The November 2007 revelation that the home secretary knew the Security Industry Authority had granted licences to 5,000 illegal workers, but decided not to publicise it.
  • The February 2008 news that an illegal immigrant had been employed as a cleaner in the House of Commons.
  • A whips' list of potential Labour rebels in the vote on plans to increase the pre-charge terror detention limit to 42 days.
  • A letter from the home secretary warning that a recession could lead to a rise in crime.
The BBC understands Tory leader David Cameron is angry about what has happened and stands by Mr Green.The BBC understands Tory leader David Cameron is angry about what has happened and stands by Mr Green.
A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: "As shadow immigration minister, Mr Green has, on a number of occasions, legitimately revealed information which the Home Office chose not to make public. 'Big questions'
Speaking on BBC One's Question Time, shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "I think it's absolutely extraordinary that the police have taken that decision.
"It has long been the case in our democracy that MPs have received information from civil servants - I think to hide information from the public is wrong.
Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest Conservative Party
"It is early days, it's an extraordinary case. I think there are going to be some very, very big questions asked of the police."
A spokesman for the Conservative Party said Mr Green had "on a number of occasions, legitimately revealed information which the Home Office chose not to make public.
"Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest."Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest.
"Mr Green denies any wrongdoing and stands by his actions.""Mr Green denies any wrongdoing and stands by his actions."
'No prior knowledge'
Conservative sources said a police investigation into a high-ranking politician would have to have been cleared at "the very top" and have described the actions as "Stalinesque".Conservative sources said a police investigation into a high-ranking politician would have to have been cleared at "the very top" and have described the actions as "Stalinesque".
'No prior knowledge'
But a Downing Street spokesman said: "This is a matter for the police. The prime minister had no prior knowledge of the arrest of Mr Green and was only informed after the event."But a Downing Street spokesman said: "This is a matter for the police. The prime minister had no prior knowledge of the arrest of Mr Green and was only informed after the event."
Mr Green, the MP for Ashford in Kent, who has been the Conservatives' immigration spokesman since December 2005, was arrested shortly before 1400 GMT at his constituency home.Mr Green, the MP for Ashford in Kent, who has been the Conservatives' immigration spokesman since December 2005, was arrested shortly before 1400 GMT at his constituency home.
The Conservatives say they understand counter-terrorism officers were involved in searches of his home and offices.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office and aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office."In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office and aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office."
It added search warrants had been carried out at a home in Kent, a home in west London, business premises in Kent and in central LondonIt added search warrants had been carried out at a home in Kent, a home in west London, business premises in Kent and in central London
"The search at the residential address in west London has concluded, the other searches continue," it added."The search at the residential address in west London has concluded, the other searches continue," it added.