Unauthorised Disclosure of Heads of Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Standards and Privileges Committee Contents


Letter from the Clerk of the Committee on Standards and Privileges to Mr Stephen Lotinga, Parliamentary Office of the Liberal Democrats, 29 April 2009

  The Committee on Standards and Privileges is carrying out an inquiry into the leaking in February 2009 of an internal, privileged document of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport. The document concerned is the Heads of Report of its inquiry into the BBC's commercial operations. The leak into which the Committee is inquiring is a report in the Guardian newspaper of 25 February, a copy of which I enclose. There was an earlier leak to the same newspaper on 14 February and I enclose a copy of that report also.

  At its meeting yesterday, the Committee asked me to write to you, requesting your assistance with the inquiry. The Committee wishes to know whether you had sight of the CMS Committee's Heads of Report on the BBC's commercial operations at any time before 25 February; whether you discussed the content of the CMS Committee's Heads of Report on the BBC's commercial operations with any person before 25 February; and whether you are able to explain how the leaks to the Guardian which resulted in the reports of 14 and 25 February came about. Please also send me any information you may have which might reasonably be considered relevant to the Committee's inquiry.

  I would be grateful to receive your reply to this letter as soon as possible, and in any case no later than 11 May. The Committee will then decide whether it needs to take any further steps, such as requesting oral evidence.

  If you wish to discuss in confidence this request or any aspect of the Committee's inquiry, you are most welcome to call me.



 
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