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Tory frontbencher Green arrested Senior Tory arrested over leaks
(about 1 hour 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 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 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 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 10 days ago of a man suspected of being a whistleblower in the Home Office. Series of leaks
Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest Conservative Party spokesman 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.
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 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.
Disclosure of this information was manifestly in the public interest Conservative Party
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.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."
Searches continue '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".
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.
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.