Jacqui Smith declines to apologise over MP arrest
The home secretary said it would not be right of her to comment on a police investigation
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Sunday, 30, Nov 2008 11:15
Home secretary Jacqui Smith has said she will not apologise for the arrest of Conservative MP Damian Green.
Mr Green, the Tories' immigration spokesman, was arrested over alleged Home Office leaks after a police-raid on his home and his House of Commons office on Friday.
The Ashford MP has now been released on bail and denies any wrongdoing.
Speaking on BBC 1's Andrew Marr show, Ms Smith declined to apologise for the police operation saying that it would be wrong for her to intervene in a police investigation.
Both the prime minister and home secretary have denied having prior knowledge about the police raid.
Meanwhile, David Cameron has called on the government to make his position on the arrest clear.
Writing in the News of the World, he said: "I’m convinced this is a watershed moment. That’s why the question I put to the prime minister is so important.
"Of course the police should have operational independence, but do you think it’s right for them to behave in this way with respect to Parliament when what is at stake is the right of one and all to hold government to account?
"I’ve made my opinions clear. It’s time for the prime minister to do the same."
He added that it was important for the head of government to make a statement on the matter so as to make clear the rights held by opposition MPs, whistleblowers and parliament.
The arrest of Mr Green has been roundly criticised by opposition MPs with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg saying the arrest was something extraordinary for a democracy and resembled a state of affairs usually seen under a "tinpot dictatorship".