Now Met police chief condemns officers for Green leak
THE retired police officers who leaked sensitive details about the inquiry into Damian Green were criticised by the head of Scotland Yard yesterday.
Cressida Dick said the pair were wrong to speak out regarding claims that pornography was found on the Tory Cabinet minister’s computer.
In her first public comments on the row, she said they could even face prosecution. ‘We have an enduring duty to keep information confidential,’ she added. ‘I think all our officers know that and we expect high standards.
‘We come into contact with personal information all day long and we must look after that information.
‘We know perfectly well when we are serving that if we don’t look after it we will be subject to discipline and potentially to criminal action.
‘It is my view that what they have done, based on my understanding of what they are saying, what they have done is wrong. And I condemn it.’
Neil Lewis, 48, a former detective constable, was one 30 officers involved in an inquiry into Home Office leaks back in 2008.
In a BBC interview last week claimed he found thousands of thumbnail pornographic images on a computers seized during a raid on Mr Green’s Commons office. His comments supported allegations made in a draft formal statement by former Metrogating politan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick, which was made public last month.
Mr Green, who is First Secretary of State and de facto deputy prime minister, has always insisted he did not view or download pornography and had no knowledge of the images.
He has accused Mr Quick of a harbouring a grudge over his treatment in the wake of the inquiry and his eventual forced departure from policing.
Senior politicians from both sides of the political divide, the police watchdog and top public figures said the actions of the two former officers threaten to undermine traditional policing.
In an interview on LBC, Miss Dick said colleagues were investi- what offences might have been committed. It is understood these could include data protection and computer misuse crimes, as well as theft and common law breach of confidence.
The Met Commissioner said every officer knew that correctly handling sensitive information is at the centre of their everyday duties. She added: ‘That duty in my view clearly endures after you leave the service.
‘Undoubtedly, if offences have been disclosed and that can be proved, it would be a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service, but there could be a prosecution. It’s clearly sensitive and there is a Cabinet Office inquiry running in parallel.’
Mr Green’s fate remains in the balance with the Cabinet Office inquiry expected to report to Theresa May this week.
He also faces claims he behaved inappropriately during a private meeting with a woman Conservative activist. Barry Gardiner, Labour’s international trade spokesman, said: ‘The police officers who seem to have blown the gaff on this have behaved disgracefully. They should not have broken what are clearly the police rules.’
Crispin Blunt, the Tory MP for Reigate, said: ‘Damian Green, who I’ve been with for 20 years in parliament, is an outstanding parliamentarian.
‘He’s got the utmost integrity and probity. Just because he hasn’t had a rocket high media profile doesn’t mean he wasn’t being a highly effective minister and shadow minister over the last 20 years.
‘It’s a big problem for Theresa May and it’s a big problem for the Government because it’s a really good appointment. He’s a steady pair of hands there.’
Former Cabinet minister Theresa villiers added: ‘ I’m troubled by the way the police have behaved.’