Police Searches on the Parliamentary Estate - Committee on the Issue of Privilege Contents


Annex 16

Points of Order (Hansard, 5 February 2009, Col 1004)

  1.14 pm

Damian Green (Ashford) (Con): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I refer to the Speaker's statement earlier today. In it, he referred to the investigations that he had made since the point of order that my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis) raised about the police's desire to look through e-mails sent between us. I find it extraordinary that, in a matter that concerns e-mails, which may be private, between two Members, the House authorities did not approach me to establish facts, but approached the Metropolitan police and took only their version of events as the basis for a Speaker's statement. In addition, and even more seriously, the House will wish to know that Mr. Speaker has declined my request for the Standards and Privileges Committee to look at material seized from my office to decide what is privileged. Instead, the Clerks of the House—

  Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): Order. The hon. Gentleman is an experienced Member and knows that that is not the appropriate way in which to question the Speaker's statement. Clearly, I will ensure that his remarks are brought to Mr. Speaker's attention.

  Damian Green: Further to my point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is absurd that I can say things outside the House, but not inside—

  Madam Deputy Speaker: Order.

  Damian Green: I—

  Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I have already made a ruling. It is open to the hon. Gentleman to write to Mr. Speaker in addition to the action that I shall take in ensuring that his comments are drawn to the Speaker's attention.





 
previous page contents next page

House of Commons home page Parliament home page House of Lords home page search page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2010
Prepared 22 March 2010