Annex i27
Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards from Ms Maria Fernandes
I refer to your letter of 11th July 2001 and the
telephone calls to my office. My secretary contacted your office
to advise that I was abroad.
As you have accepted, you did not inform me that
I was being taped nor was I aware of it until the end of the meeting
as two large bottles of water were in front of the microphone.
I am sure you will agree that it is important that third parties
seeking to assist the Parliamentary Commissioner should have their
basic rights observed.
I am happy for a note to be prepared of the meeting
as is stated in your procedure (paragraph 12 Ninth Report) and
if you send it to me I will return it as soon as possible. But
as I informed you some of these matters are the subject of legal
proceedings.
Mr Pathan has informed me that he is looking into
the matters you raised concerning the company.
As to questions about my law firm, I shall be taking
legal professional advice on the points you have put and respond
as soon as I have done this. As you are aware my practice is completely
independent of Mr Vaz.
For your information I shall be returning to London
at the end of August.
6 August 2001
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