HM Chief Inspector Denis O’Connor talked about the lessons learnt from Damian Green’s arrest today.
He said: “The frequency of the leaks and the failure to identify the sources or prevent the leaks raises a question about the effectiveness of the department security regime that was in place...
“As we now know, the Home Office leaks were not a threat to national security and yet the police became involved in an investigation.
"They did this as a result of a convergence of events - concern over the potential threat and Cabinet Office guidelines which, on some readings, could be seen to have encouraged a police investigation.
“These guidelines allow not just for police investigation but also matters relating to serious interference with the functions of Government.
"Departments and the Cabinet Office should have the capability to deal with the matter and should not have to rely on the police.
“The smooth running of Government is not an obvious matter for the police. The police are generally considered to be part of the state, but not an instrument of the executive as such.”
Monday 12 October 2009
Police must not be used as "instrument of executive"
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2 comments:
Hopefully Jacqui Smith will find herself the subject of some unwanted attention from the fuzz over her expenses sometime soon. A taste of her own medicine.
So Wacky Jacqui claimed reimbursement for expenses to which she was not entitled. she has apologised and therefore does not have to repay a penny.
I wonder how HMR&C would react if a business over paid a £100k+ expenses to an employee but did not ask for the money back. I suspect they would be seeking payment for PAYE and NI on the payments, a fine for mis-declaration of the year end P35, and fine of £100 per month for failing to declare an interest free loan to an employee on the form P11d.
One rule for them, another for us.
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