Examination of Witnesses (Questions 431
- 439)
WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2000
RT HON
PAUL BOATENG,
MP, MR MARTIN
NAREY, MR
JOHN PODMORE
AND MR
TOM MURTAGH
Chairman
431. Good afternoon, gentlemen. You will know
that we are inquiring into the impact of the raid on Blantyre
House on 5th and 6th May and related events, and results of the
criminal investigation carried out by Kent police. Perhaps I should
explain the way in which we would like to do this. We would like
to start with some questions about the career change which had
been planned for Mr McLennan-Murray and the appointment of the
new Governor, Mr Bartlett. Then we would like to ask some questions
of Mr Podmore and Mr Murtagh about the briefing that proceeded
the events of 5th and 6th May, and then go into the search itself.
I am just explaining this to you, Mr Boateng, because, clearly,
neither you nor Mr Narey were actually there when all his happened
and your two colleagues, Mr Murtagh and Mr Podmore, were.
(Mr Boateng) Of course, Chairman, and
in relation to decisions as to the deployment of personnel, that
would be an operational matter which you will understand Mr Narey
will want, first of all, to respond to, and I will be happy to
add anything that I usefully can.
432. Thinking of past events, I know how important
the distinction is between operational decisions and ministerial
ones are, not least in the Prison Service.
(Mr Boateng) Quite so, Mr Corbett.
Mr Howarth
433. Mr Murtagh, can I just pass you this document?
Can you tell me if that is your document?
(Mr Murtagh) It is a document that was prepared following
the search. It was not actually prepared by me, but it was prepared
on my behalf.
434. It was prepared on your behalf?
(Mr Murtagh) Yes.
435. It has your name on the bottom?
(Mr Murtagh) That is correct, yes.
436. Who was it prepared for?
(Mr Murtagh) It was prepared to brief the Director
General.
437. It was for the Director General?
(Mr Murtagh) Yes.
438. This was the basis of the information upon
which the Director General was—
(Mr Murtagh) I am sorry, that is the brief following
the search, as I understand it. Can I just look at the document?
439. It says, "A report of the events of
5th May 2000", and it says, "Kent, Surrey and Sussex
area office report of events at HMP Blantyre House, 5th May 2000."
So it was after, but it was for the Director General?
(Mr Murtagh) It was a report on the search immediately
afterwards, the following day.
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