Letter from the Chairman to Members and
staff of the Home Affairs Committee on the leak of the draft Report
on the Government's Counter-Terrorism Proposals
The Chairman's draft Report on the Government's
counter-terrorism proposals was distributed to each member of
the Home Affairs Committee yesterday morning. On the front of
each copy of the draft was a Note to Members reminding them that
the text was in confidence and for the use of members of the Committee
only. At the start of yesterday's meeting, I also drew the attention
of those present to the need to keep the contents of the Report
confidential. Today, the Financial Times contained an article
describing accurately and quoting from the draft Report as circulated
to the Committee.
The House has agreed the procedures to be followed
in such cases. Everyone who had access to the draft must be asked
whether they know anything about the leak. I am therefore writing
to ask you formally if you can explain how such a leak came about.
We will discuss this at the Committee's next
meeting, which is at 11.00 am tomorrow.
Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP
5 December 2007
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