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Richard Rhodes PCC expenses 'leak': Police make third arrest | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Detectives investigating the alleged leak of expenses claims made by Cumbria's police and crime commissioner (PCC) have made a third arrest. | Detectives investigating the alleged leak of expenses claims made by Cumbria's police and crime commissioner (PCC) have made a third arrest. |
A 54-year-old man from Penrith is being held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after details of two chauffeur-driven journeys by Richard Rhodes appeared in a newspaper. | A 54-year-old man from Penrith is being held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after details of two chauffeur-driven journeys by Richard Rhodes appeared in a newspaper. |
Two Cumbria Police staff members were arrested and bailed on Tuesday. | Two Cumbria Police staff members were arrested and bailed on Tuesday. |
Labour MP Jamie Reed has asked Home Secretary Theresa May to intervene. | Labour MP Jamie Reed has asked Home Secretary Theresa May to intervene. |
In a letter to Ms May, the Copeland MP said: "As a matter of urgency, I ask that you determine the facts of this case as quickly as possible so that these matters can be resolved beyond doubt." | In a letter to Ms May, the Copeland MP said: "As a matter of urgency, I ask that you determine the facts of this case as quickly as possible so that these matters can be resolved beyond doubt." |
Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron, MP for South Lakes, described the arrests as "a threat to free speech". | Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron, MP for South Lakes, described the arrests as "a threat to free speech". |
"Details of the expenses of public officials ought to be publicly available anyway, we shouldn't have to rely on leaks to find these things out," he said. | "Details of the expenses of public officials ought to be publicly available anyway, we shouldn't have to rely on leaks to find these things out," he said. |
'Whistle-blowing policies' | 'Whistle-blowing policies' |
The 54-year-old man - who does not work for Cumbria Police - was arrested after a search of an address in Penrith earlier. | The 54-year-old man - who does not work for Cumbria Police - was arrested after a search of an address in Penrith earlier. |
The police staff members, a man aged 47 and a woman aged 50, were held on suspicion of data protection offences and misconduct in a public office. | |
Their arrests followed a complaint by the PCC's office when it was approached by a newspaper for a comment relating to an expenses claim of almost £700. | |
A Cumbria Police spokeswoman said the force had "whistle-blowing policies and processes" for officers and staff who wanted to "raise legitimate issues or concerns in a lawful and appropriate way". | A Cumbria Police spokeswoman said the force had "whistle-blowing policies and processes" for officers and staff who wanted to "raise legitimate issues or concerns in a lawful and appropriate way". |
"However, it appears that these processes have not been followed in this case and the investigation is focusing on data protection issues and the unlawful disclosure of confidential information," she added. | "However, it appears that these processes have not been followed in this case and the investigation is focusing on data protection issues and the unlawful disclosure of confidential information," she added. |
The PCC said he had asked the force's chief constable to review the "scale and nature" of the investigation. | |
"I have not had any involvement or input into how the constabulary has dealt with this matter," Mr Rhodes said. | |
His office said it was decided for "personal safety reasons" that a driver would be provided for some evening functions. | |
The PCC repaid the bill as soon as he was made aware of the cost. | The PCC repaid the bill as soon as he was made aware of the cost. |