Tory accuses police after arrest over leaked papers

TOP CONSERVATIVES CLAIM ‘STALINESQUE’ OPERATION MUST HAVE BEEN APPROVED AT TOP

By Andrew Woodcock

Published:

Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green accused the police today of arresting him “for doing my job” after he spent nine hours in custody answering questions about leaks of politically-sensitive information from the Home Office.

The Ashford MP “emphatically” denied any wrongdoing and vowed to continue bringing to light embarrassing information that ministers try to keep secret.

Senior Conservatives, including leader David Cameron, are known to be furious about Mr Green’s arrest by the Metropolitan Police officers, who were believed to have included members of the counter-terrorism team, at his home in Kent yesterday.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson revealed that he had been informed of police plans in advance and voiced “grave” concerns to acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, warning him that he did not regard it as “commonsense policing”.

Mr Cameron is expected to raise questions about the way the case was handled before the media today.

Senior Tory sources were describing the operation as “Stalinesque” last night and suggesting that police must have received authorisation from the very top of the government.

But Downing Street and Labour issued strong denials that either Prime Minister Gordon Brown or other ministers had prior knowledge.

And the Metropolitan Police Service released a statement last night insisting that “the decision to make today’s arrest was taken solely by the MPS without any ministerial knowledge or approval”.

Mr Green, 52, was questioned at Belgravia police station in central London over a series of confidential Home Office papers that found their way into the public domain over recent months.

He was released on unconditional bail shortly before midnight without charge, but must return to face further questioning in February.

Speaking to reporters outside the Commons about 12.45am today, he said: “I was astonished to have spent more than nine hours today under arrest for doing my job.

“I emphatically deny I have done anything wrong.

“I have many times made public information that the Government wanted to keep secret – information that the public has a right to know.

“In a democracy, opposition politicians have a duty to hold the Government to account.

“I was elected to the House of Commons precisely to do that and I certainly intend to continue doing so.”