NOW PUT LEAK COPS IN DOCK
Tory anger over police ‘vendetta’ that drove deputy PM out of job
... as Green says he’s overwhelmed by support
TORIES last night demanded that two ex-police officers be put in the dock for leaking pornography claims that brought down Damian Green. scotland Yard warned the former detectives could face prosecution as senior ministers said Mr Green had been the victim of a police vendetta.
Mr Green was sacked as the Prime Minister’s deputy on Wednesday after he admitted lying about his knowledge of the discovery of explicit images during a 2008 botched police raid on his Commons office.
Mr Green declined to answer questions as he left his West London home yesterday, but later tweeted that he was overwhelmed by the messages of support he had received.
tory MPs attacked the police, arguing Mr Green’s misconduct was ‘dwarfed’ by the actions of former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick and exdetective constable Neil Lewis in allegedly passing confidential information obtained during Boris a Johnson police inquiry demanded to the an media. investigation into the leaks. he described the conduct of the retired officers as ‘a bit whiffy’. the Foreign secretary said: ‘it had the slight feeling of a vendetta. i am very sad for Damian, hopefully one day he’ll come back and serve in other ways.’
theresa May, on a visit to Warsaw, said she shared concerns ‘raised across the political spectrum’ about the way details of a police inquiry into home Office leaks had entered the public domain. ‘i expect that issue … to be taken seriously,’ the Prime Minister added.
health secretary Jeremy hunt said the actions of police officers sharing the information, despite no suggestion of criminality, ‘does not sit comfortably in a democracy’.
tory MP Chris Philp said Mr Quick and Mr Lewis should be investigated for misconduct in public office, a criminal offence that carries a maximum sentence of a lifetime in jail. he said: ‘their behaviour is far more serious than anything that has been alleged against Damian Green. ‘they behaved disgracefully by taking confidential information uncovered in the course of a police investigation, and leaking it. it was an internet browsing history that was by no means criminal at all. ‘in the course of investigations they obviously find all kinds of private things that are not criminal and nothing to do with the investigation – like people having affairs and goodness knows what. it is not appropriate for them to disclose that information publicly, it is an abuse of power.’ Former Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell, who quit as chief whip over the ‘Plebgate’ row after he swore at officers in Downing street, said Mr
Green’s ‘admitted breaches of the ministerial code are dwarfed by the extraordinary behaviour of the police’.
In an unusual move, Scotland Yard referred the case to the Information Commissioner’s Office. This came because senior police took advice from a top QC and he found it was unlikely a case could be brought against the two ex- officers for misconduct in a public office, breach of confidence or even theft.
Commissioner Cressida Dick is furious about the disclosures and her top team are determined to send a message that such leaks will face severe repercussions.
Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham does have the power to prosecute the pair under the Data Protection Act. They can be summonsed to court to face charges. The maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.
Sir Thomas Winsor, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, last night wrote to her. He said: ‘The obligation of confidentiality … does not end when a police officer retires.’
He added that if public trust in confidentiality was damaged, it may have ‘a chilling effect on the willingness of victims and witnesses, and suspects, to co-operate with police’.
Ken Marsh of the Met Police Federation said it was ‘quite right’ that the retired officers face a ‘thorough investigation’.
Mr Quick said he did not wish to comment on Mr Green’s dismissal. However, his legal team are poised to push for the MP to retract his comments accusing their client of lying and mounting a vendetta.
When Mr Lewis was asked if he was happy Mr Green had been forced out of the Cabinet, he said: ‘I think Bob Quick will be.’
Mr Green tweeted yesterday: ‘I am overwhelmed by the number of friends, colleagues (on all sides) and constituents who have sent supportive messages.’