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Tories seek apology over claims Tories seek police chief apology
(about 8 hours later)
The Conservative Party is demanding a full apology from one of Britain's most senior policemen after he claimed they had mobilised the press against him.The Conservative Party is demanding a full apology from one of Britain's most senior policemen after he claimed they had mobilised the press against him.
Met Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick claims they tried to undermine his inquiry into Home Office leaks, which led to the arrest of MP Damian Green.Met Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick claims they tried to undermine his inquiry into Home Office leaks, which led to the arrest of MP Damian Green.
Mr Quick later withdrew suggestions they had behaved in a "corrupt" way.Mr Quick later withdrew suggestions they had behaved in a "corrupt" way.
The party denies any role in the press identifying his home and has demanded he retract claims of intimidation.The party denies any role in the press identifying his home and has demanded he retract claims of intimidation.
Former shadow home secretary David Davis also questioned whether Mr Quick, who is head of Britain's counter-terrorism squad, should continue in charge of the investigation into the Home Office leaks.
Mr Quick said he had been forced to move his family after an article published in the Mail on Sunday put them at risk.Mr Quick said he had been forced to move his family after an article published in the Mail on Sunday put them at risk.
"The Tory machinery and their press friends are mobilised against this investigation," the head of the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism squad told reporters."The Tory machinery and their press friends are mobilised against this investigation," the head of the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism squad told reporters.
"I think it is a very spiteful act, possibly to intimidate me away from investigating Mr Green, and I feel it has put my family at risk." He should retract all of his allegations immediately Conservative Party spokesman"I think it is a very spiteful act, possibly to intimidate me away from investigating Mr Green, and I feel it has put my family at risk." He should retract all of his allegations immediately Conservative Party spokesman
Mr Quick said he would consult his solicitor on Monday about further possible action.Mr Quick said he would consult his solicitor on Monday about further possible action.
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said his partial apology had done little to defuse Tory anger.BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said his partial apology had done little to defuse Tory anger.
"Privately... some senior Tories have also questioned Mr Quick's judgement and whether he's a fit person to be in charge of the counter-terrorism squad," he said."Privately... some senior Tories have also questioned Mr Quick's judgement and whether he's a fit person to be in charge of the counter-terrorism squad," he said.
The relationship between the Conservatives and senior police officers seemed to be deteriorating rapidly, he added.The relationship between the Conservatives and senior police officers seemed to be deteriorating rapidly, he added.
A Conservative Party spokesman said it had "played no part whatsoever in the publication of this story".A Conservative Party spokesman said it had "played no part whatsoever in the publication of this story".
'Baseless attacks''Baseless attacks'
"As the officer leading the inquiry into the allegations involving Damian Green, Assistant Commissioner Quick should display objective professionalism and not make baseless, political attacks," the spokesman said."As the officer leading the inquiry into the allegations involving Damian Green, Assistant Commissioner Quick should display objective professionalism and not make baseless, political attacks," the spokesman said.
"He should retract all of his allegations immediately.""He should retract all of his allegations immediately."
Former shadow home secretary David Davis said Mr Quick's allegations were "completely baseless" and the story had not come from the Conservatives.
"If there is any evidence he should name who he thinks is responsible or withdraw his allegations," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Davis said he believed the police inquiry into the Damian Green affair was "not going anywhere" but if it did carry on a different officer should be put in charge.
The arrest of Mr Green and search of his home and offices earlier this month prompted a political row.The arrest of Mr Green and search of his home and offices earlier this month prompted a political row.
There was an outcry among MPs from all parties that the police action represented a fundamental breach of their right to hold the government to account.There was an outcry among MPs from all parties that the police action represented a fundamental breach of their right to hold the government to account.
Police had been asked by the Cabinet Office to investigate alleged leaks from the Home Office.Police had been asked by the Cabinet Office to investigate alleged leaks from the Home Office.