I was shocked to read last night that, in an operation of gross heavy-handedness, nine anti-terror police were involved in an operation to arrest the Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green MP. Before we even look at the supposed grounds for arrest, are we really supposed to believe that Mr Green poses such a threat to national security that such a heavy operation was required? Ridiculous.
As for the substance, ConservativeHome has a very good summary of what has happened. Damian Green is doing his job and is manifestly acting in the public interest. I expect and I hope that any prosecution will go nowhere - anything else would be extremely worrying for democracy.
The MP has denied any wrongdoing and said “opposition politicians have a duty to hold the government to account” and that he would “continue to do so”.
Iian do you think he will mind if i nick his quote. I wonder if orwell had a vision of the future. This government have taken away the right of free speech and the people go about there daily buisness without a care in the world.Wake up every one before it’s to late
joe
This again vindicates David Davis’s stance to force a by-election over Labour’s assault on civil liberties. Jacqui Smith should resign over this despicable attack upon the freedom of our MPs, and upon our democracy.
Dear Joseph
When MPs heard about Damian Green’s arrest, many of us asked ourselves the same question: “When did it become a crime to hold the Government to account?”
Throwing a spotlight on information the Government would rather keep hidden is an essential part of our democracy. And when dealing with an administration legendary for its secrecy, you increasingly have to rely on whistle-blowers to see the full picture.
I have written at greater length on this issue in today’s Telegraph, as you can read at http://www.tinyurl.com/damiangreen.
This unprecedented arrest is a wake-up call. We must save our broken democracy.
Best wishes,
Nick Clegg
Leader, Liberal Democrats
Dont tell tom but the big Cheese agrees with you
Joe
I would tend to agree but there are a couple of things that bother me.
1 - that the Civil Servant is so we are told a Tory supporter and may even be an activist - I hope he isn’t a member.
2 - that D Green may have conspired to prsuade the Civil Servant to supply copies of papers.
For those reasons I am happy for the investigation to continue.