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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police taped arrest of MP Green | Police taped arrest of MP Green |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| The police officers who arrested Conservative frontbench MP Damian Green were wearing sound recording equipment, the Metropolitan Police has said. | The police officers who arrested Conservative frontbench MP Damian Green were wearing sound recording equipment, the Metropolitan Police has said. |
| Police said a tape recording was made "without his knowledge" but with the "best of intentions" to provide an accurate record of the arrest. | Police said a tape recording was made "without his knowledge" but with the "best of intentions" to provide an accurate record of the arrest. |
| The Met has referred the issue to the Surveillance Commissioner for advice. | The Met has referred the issue to the Surveillance Commissioner for advice. |
| Tories accused police of "heavy-handed tactics" when Mr Green was arrested as part of a Home Office leak inquiry. | Tories accused police of "heavy-handed tactics" when Mr Green was arrested as part of a Home Office leak inquiry. |
| The shadow immigration minister was held by police for nine hours after his arrest on 27 November and had his Commons offices searched. He was released on bail without charge. | The shadow immigration minister was held by police for nine hours after his arrest on 27 November and had his Commons offices searched. He was released on bail without charge. |
| 'Total transparency' | 'Total transparency' |
| The Met said: "A tape sound recording was made of the MP's arrest and subsequent period in police charge, without his knowledge, prior to arrival at Belgravia Police station from Kent. | The Met said: "A tape sound recording was made of the MP's arrest and subsequent period in police charge, without his knowledge, prior to arrival at Belgravia Police station from Kent. |
| "This was authorised at superintendent level to provide an accurate record of anything that may have been said by officers or the MP over a period of nearly two and a half hours. | "This was authorised at superintendent level to provide an accurate record of anything that may have been said by officers or the MP over a period of nearly two and a half hours. |
| "This was done with the best of intentions but to ensure total transparency this matter has been voluntarily referred to the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) for their advice. | |
| The Met said the Crown Prosecution Service was aware of the information which would be fully disclosable if any proceedings took place. | The Met said the Crown Prosecution Service was aware of the information which would be fully disclosable if any proceedings took place. |
| The arrest sparked a row between the officer in charge of the inquiry, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, and the Conservatives. | The arrest sparked a row between the officer in charge of the inquiry, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, and the Conservatives. |
| On Monday Mr Quick apologised "unreservedly" to the Conservative Party for claiming the party had mobilised the press against him. | On Monday Mr Quick apologised "unreservedly" to the Conservative Party for claiming the party had mobilised the press against him. |
| The arrest of Mr Green and the search of his home and offices prompted a political row. | The arrest of Mr Green and the search of his home and offices 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. |