APPENDIX III
SPEAKER'S STATEMENT (22 JANUARY 2008)
Mr Speaker: I have a statement to make.
Yesterday evening, the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel
Kawczynski) raised a point of order in which he reported that
police had entered his office without permission and demanded
that he release to them correspondence from his constituency.
The House authorities have looked into the matter. I can tell
the House that the case concerned general inquiries in the course
of an investigation into a serious crime that may involve threatening
behaviour towards Members and other public figures. It did not
involve the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham or his staff.
In the course of the investigation, a police officer
assigned to duties in the House, but exercising her responsibilities
as a constable, sought assistance from the staff of the hon. Member
and agreed a time to meet them. Assistance was given by the hon.
Member's staff after the officer had explained the nature of the
inquiry. At a point in their discussion, the hon. Member was contacted
by his staff because it was thought necessary to seek his permission
for the police to obtain a single-sheet document from his office.
The purpose of the investigation was explained to the hon. Member,
and after discussion, he agreed to supply the document. [Interruption.]
Order.
I can confirm to the House that at no time during
those proceedings did the police exercise any compulsory powers
to require the document to be supplied. The hon. Member and his
staff were not the subject of the police inquiry. It was not a
matter that involved the seeking of a search warrant. I can confirm
that the document is not privileged, but for reasons related to
the sensitivity of the police investigation, I make no further
comment about the details of the case.
The hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham was
made aware of these details by the police. While I accept that,
in this case, the police officer acted with good intentions, I
have instructed that any police officer assigned to duties in
the House must advise the Serjeant at Arms of the intention to
seek the assistance of a Member and his staff in his offices.
The Serjeant at Arms will in turn approach the Member before the
police take further action. I shall, of course, keep the House
informed of any details concerning the case insofar as it affects
the privileges of the House.
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