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Letter from Sir Andrew Bowden MBE MP to
the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Regarding my comments arising out of the text
of the evidence I gave on Thursday 13 February 1997 and relevant
entries in my 1987 appointment diary.
I have now studied very carefully the evidence
I gave on 13 February. Bearing in mind we are dealing with a
period 10 years ago I regret my memory did fail me on a number
of details. After further prolonged study of my papers and records
I will deal with the points you wished me to consider arising
out of our meeting:
Relevant 1987 Diary Entries
Monday
9 February Lunch Ian Greer - his office
Wednesday
18 February Noon 60 Park Lane
Additional notes:
1.
Please see my letter to Sir Gordon dated 18 February.
2. 1,226 page 14 and 1,248 page 20. I was mistaken
when I said that other Members of Parliament were present.
Saturday 7 March Phone/see Mike Land
Monday 23 March 12 noon Royston Webb/ML
2.30pm Al-Fayed
Additional notes:
1. I am fairly certain
we three had lunch at the Grosvenor House Hotel on that day.
2. I am not sure if I did in fact see Mr Fayed
that afternoon.
Thursday 9 April 3.00 pm Ian Greer
W3
Tuesday 21 April Phone RW
Wednesday 22 April
ML sees RW
Thursday 30 April 4.00 pm 60
Park Lane Tim Smith, Neil Hamilton, Ian Greer
Additional
Note:
I am now fairly sure I only met Mr Fayed on two occasions
at 60 Park Lane.
Wednesday 1 July 1.30 pm Mike Land
3.00 pm Royston Webb
Tuesday 7 July 3.30
pm Ian Greer - my office
Wednesday 15 July 11.30
am Harrods
Additional Note:
I have no recollection
of this meeting. I am not convinced I even went.
Wednesday 5 August 2.30 pm Royston
Webb
Additional Note:
I think we met at his office.
Monday 24 August 3.00 pm Royston Webb - my
office.
Additional Note:
I think this meeting and the
one on the 5 August were related to various actions taken by ML
involving a Miss Pollard which had upset Mr Fayed and resulted
in the termination of Mr Land's arrangement. At the same time
it was made clear to me that as I was responsible for introducing
Mr Land to the Al-Fayed organisation it would be wiser if I did
nothing else to publicly support Mr Al-Fayed.
I cannot trace any other entries in my diary
after the 24 August referring to Mr Fayed or Mr Royston Webb.
Finally I would like to say that this whole
situation has put a severe strain and caused a great deal of unhappiness
to me and my family. I have had the privilege of being a Member
of Parliament for nearly 27 years. I will be 67 in April and
if I believed I had done anything dishonourable, dishonest or
in any way betrayed the trust placed in me by my constituents
over such a long period I would not be contesting the forthcoming
General Election.
(Sir Andrew Bowden MBE, MP)
25 February 1997
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