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Lord Hanningfield seeks damages over 'unlawful arrest' | Lord Hanningfield seeks damages over 'unlawful arrest' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Lord Hanningfield has threatened legal action over his "unlawful arrest" over money claimed when he was leader of Essex County Council. | Lord Hanningfield has threatened legal action over his "unlawful arrest" over money claimed when he was leader of Essex County Council. |
He was held at home in September after his release from jail for parliamentary expenses fraud. | He was held at home in September after his release from jail for parliamentary expenses fraud. |
In a "letter before claim" to Essex Police, his lawyers said he was seeking £3,000 for unlawful arrest and detention and £1,500 for trespass. | |
Essex Police said they had received the letter and were considering it. | Essex Police said they had received the letter and were considering it. |
Lord Hanningfield was jailed for nine months in July for falsely claiming £14,000 while he was a Conservative peer in the House of Lords. | Lord Hanningfield was jailed for nine months in July for falsely claiming £14,000 while he was a Conservative peer in the House of Lords. |
The former pig farmer, from West Hanningfield, near Chelmsford, had claimed expenses for overnight stays in London when he was not in the capital. | The former pig farmer, from West Hanningfield, near Chelmsford, had claimed expenses for overnight stays in London when he was not in the capital. |
He was released early, after serving nine weeks, and given a curfew and electronic tag. | He was released early, after serving nine weeks, and given a curfew and electronic tag. |
'Had no right' | 'Had no right' |
His lawyers said his arrest at his home early one morning in September was unlawful. | His lawyers said his arrest at his home early one morning in September was unlawful. |
Mark Spragg of Keystone Law said: "They can't just go and arrest anybody they feel like, there has to be a reason. | Mark Spragg of Keystone Law said: "They can't just go and arrest anybody they feel like, there has to be a reason. |
"On this occasion it appears that the arrest may have been unlawful in practical terms because he was arrested inside his house. | "On this occasion it appears that the arrest may have been unlawful in practical terms because he was arrested inside his house. |
"Police actually had no right to go through his front door... they didn't have a search warrant." | "Police actually had no right to go through his front door... they didn't have a search warrant." |
He added: "Ultimately we would like expenses for Lord Hanningfield because he has suffered at their hands." | He added: "Ultimately we would like expenses for Lord Hanningfield because he has suffered at their hands." |
The letter before claim states that the reasons given for the arrest were unclear and also seeks costs of £2,000. | The letter before claim states that the reasons given for the arrest were unclear and also seeks costs of £2,000. |
Speaking at the time of the arrest, Mr Spragg had described it as "hitting a man when he is down" and a "complete travesty". | Speaking at the time of the arrest, Mr Spragg had described it as "hitting a man when he is down" and a "complete travesty". |
Lord Hanningfield is on police bail until 18 January. | Lord Hanningfield is on police bail until 18 January. |
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