Kentish Express Ashford & District
Green inquiry findings may stay secret
The outcome of a Cabinet inquiry into the Ashford MP Damian Green may not be published in full if at all, it has emerged.
An investigation into allegations concerning inappropriate conduct following claims made by a female journalist was started several weeks ago.
It was then widened to include separate claims that pornographic material was found on a computer in his parliamentary office several years ago during a Home Office leaks inquiry.
Downing Street says the full report – which could seal Mr Green’s fate – may not be put into the public domain, but no final decision had been taken.
At a briefing, journalists were told the government was not committed to publishing the full inquiry but was waiting for the investigation to be concluded.
Mr Green, the dep- uty prime minister, has strenuously denied the allegations. Downing Street was criticised over the possibility that the findings of the investigation could be kept under wraps. Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable s ai d: “The report needs to be published as a matter of urgency.
“The public are entitled to know who is running the country in the absence of the prime minister, and that person must do that without an investigation hanging over their head.”
Labour MP Lucy Powell said: “Full disclosure and transparency is absolutely key in these cases. Damian Green is the sec- ond most powerful politician in the country. That person needs to be beyond suspicion but doubts will remain unless they are completely open and honest.”
Mr Green, who has continued with constituency work and events while the inquiry has been proceeding, is a close ally of the prime minister and have been friends since they were at university together.