Monday, 2 November 2009

Ex-Speaker to face MPs over Green arrest

Former Speaker Michael Martin
Former Speaker Michael Martin is set to face questions from senior MPs over the arrest of Conservative MPs Damian Green last year.

Metropolitan police officers did not have a warrant to search Mr Green's parliamentary office in November 2008 but had been permitted to do so by parliamentary authorities, who are headed by the Speaker.

The arrest sparked outrage from the opposition, who claimed parliamentary privilege had been breached.

The Tory shadow minister for immigration was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office, but in April the Met announced he would not face charges.

Lord Martin told MPs soon after the incident that serjeant-at-arms Jill Pay had signed the consent form without first consulting him.

He was subsequently forced to resign his post as Speaker in the wake of the expenses scandal. Ms Pay remains the serjeant-at-arms.

Lord Martin appointed a committee of seven 'senior and experienced' MPs to investigate the incident.

The committee on the issue of privilege, investigating police searches on the parliamentary estate, is required to deliver its report to the Commons by the end of the year.

It is chaired by former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell and also includes ex-home secretary David Blunkett and former Conservative party leader Michael Howard.

Lord Martin will give evidence from 16:15 GMT.ADNFCR-708-ID-19436767-ADNFCR

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