This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7753557.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tory frontbencher Green arrested Tory frontbencher Green arrested
(10 minutes later)
Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green, was arrested earlier and had his home and Commons office searched by police.Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green, was arrested earlier and had his home and Commons office searched by police.
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 being questioned by police. The Conservatives say he denies any wrongdoing.
It is understood to be connected to alleged leaks of information from the Home Office.It is understood to be connected to alleged leaks of information from the Home Office.
It is believed to be connected to the arrest 10 days ago of a man suspected of being a whistleblower in the Home Office.
Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest Conservative Party spokesman
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.
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.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.
"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."
The MP for Ashford in Kent, who has been the Conservatives' immigration spokesman since December 2005, was arrested shortly before 1400 GMT in Kent. Searches continue
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.
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 that search warrants had been carried out at a home in Kent, a home in west London, business premises in Kent and in central London 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 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.