Erosion of liberty – the sad tale of the Damian Green affair
News this week that the TRG Vice-President Damian Green MP is not to be charged did not come as a great shock. The charges against Damian were never likely to be made. However what has come out of this sorry affair is deeply concerning. Firstly that an Opposition MP was arrested for bringing to light Government failings. In any democracy it is the job of the Opposition to hold the Government to account, to highlight failings in policy and operation. In bringing to the attention of Parliament and the country the major failings inside the Home Office, Damian Green was doing just this.
In his article in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, Damian says that his first reaction was “this cannot be happening in Britain”. Damian’s thoughts confirm a feeling articulated by the former Shadow Home Secretary Rt Hon David Davis MP last summer that steadily and gradually age-old English freedoms and conventions are been eroded. These freedoms exist to defend each of us. The attack on these freedoms started slowly but have amounted over the past 10 years to the imprisonment of British subjects for ever longer periods of time without charge, the proposed introduction of identity cards for every citizen, a national DNA database, the overturning of the double jeopardy rules, the permitting of hearsay evidence in court and now the arrest of Opposition MPs– “They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety” (Benjamin Franklin).
The decision to call in the police in this matter was made, we are informed, by the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. The reason given, which permitted a criminal investigation was national security. This was clearly bogus and the DPP report this week confirms this. Leaks are concerning to Ministers and Government departments but they are internal disciplinary concerns not matters for the police (unless the matter genuinely concerns national security – i.e. poses a direct threat to the UK) who have far better things to do. The report of the DPP sets out new guidelines for when an issue should be referred to the police and we must hope that this will deter a repeat of this incident.
We are told that the Home Secretary was not informed of the impending arrest of a senior MP. The Home Affairs Select Committee report concludes that it is right that politicians should not be informed of these operational matters. But I have to say I find this bizarre. Surely the Home Secretary should have been informed that police were intending to arrest a senior MP. The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary are kept informed of all operations, particularly politically sensitive operations, for which they are ultimately responsible. Good ministerial responsibility relies on British Ministers being fully informed of the actions of their departments. It should be they who are responsible for their departments and not able to simply deny knowledge and therefore responsibility.
For Damian and his family it must have been a horrible ordeal. We are yet to hear an apology from the Home Secretary. The search of his home and office in Kent, the use of nine counter-terrorist police to search for a law-abiding frontbench politician must at best be considered over the top and at worst an abuse of power.
The final problem (and one for discussion another day) is where it leaves Parliament, the long-suffering legislature that has been shown yet more contempt through the shame of police, without a warrant, searching the Parliamentary offices of one of its number.
Mr Speaker Lenthall defiant as Charles I storms into the House of Commons
The whole episode leaves a bad taste in the mouth and must be the last nail in the coffin of this the fourth Labour Home Secretary since 1997.
Tim Crockford
Green-Gate should lead to a Revolving Door
The wonderful (and not surprising) news that TRG Vice-President Damian Green will not be charged is to be truly welcomed.
So, police investigation over, it is now time to look at what happened and see if there are any culpable individuals who need to make way for new blood.
The press seem to have it in for Jacqui Smith. This seems fair enough, not just because of Green Gate, but everything else she has cocked up of late incluing her expense claims and living arrangements.
However, the truly awful behaviour came from the one person who should have stood in the way of the police, Speaker Martin.
His inability to even ask if the police has a warrant to search Damian’s office was a disgrace. He tried to redeem himself by proposing an enquiry panel of seven senior MPs that would not be susceptable to the whips. However, he now looks set to give way to Compns leader Harrier Harmen who wants a more “manageable” group dominated by Labour members! If Marrin does allow this Parliament should move immediately to replace him – tricky, but not impossible.
Interestingly, the Evening Standard gave away some politcial credibility this evening to noting that Martin is “admired by many”.
Really? By whom? Name ten people he is not related to that will sign a letter to that effect.
Bet you can’t! Martin should go now for the sake of all concerned.