In the public interest

Posted on November 27, 2008 by bobpiper

If the Tory Shadow Immigration Minister had received leaked information “in the public interest” why didn’t he use his Parliamentary immunity to reveal the information in the House? Why the newspapers? Surely there couldn’t be some other form of inducement? I think we should be told.

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11 Responses to In the public interest

  1. Robert says:
    November 28, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Sadly Labour did it when they were on the other side of the table the Lib Dem’s do it. Being told that a few hundred people are working within security at the house of commons and Parliament, that a few more are actually working at Heathrow airport, has to be released it was shocking, it was news and it was hidden.

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  2. Snapper says:
    November 28, 2008 at 8:46 am

    More worryingly Bob, why were 9 anti-terrorist officers involved in the raids? You’ve made your views about Broon & Co pretty clear on this blog on many occaisions. Clear out your filing cabinets; your You could be next!

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  3. Letters From A Tory says:
    November 28, 2008 at 8:55 am

    I think there are a lot of things that we need to be told about this outrageous arrest.
    Bob, aren’t you slightly suspicious of the timing of this arrest – it happens just as Parliament rises for a short break, meaning that the government cannot be quizzed or held to account about this incident?

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  4. mike says:
    November 28, 2008 at 9:10 am

    Listening to the shadow, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis on the radio this morning, will he be resigning again does anyone know ?

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  5. David Duff says:
    November 28, 2008 at 9:47 am

    Good to see you standing up for the liberty of parliament and parliamentarians – not! Am I to assume that you approve of the police entering parliament to search an MP’s office? And at this particular time can you think of anything better for nine – repeat, nine – counter-terrorist officers to be doing? And finally, when did the Home Secretary know about this raid and arrest? And if she didn’t know, why is she still in her job since she is so obviously out of touch and her department out of control?

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  6. Bob says:
    November 28, 2008 at 11:45 am

    David…. what information did the police get from the Home Office official arrested last week who leaked the information. I’m only asking you because you obviously have an inside track to these things so you will be able to tell us.
    The liberty of parliament and parliamentarians… don’t talk bloody guff. The history of the last century will give you details of parliamentarians, as well as other members of the establishment, who were spying for the Russians, for heaven’s sake.
    Also, you appear to be confused. If the Home Secretary knew… it was a political plot, if she didn’t she is out of touch. Perhaps dipping her in a pond and seeing if she drowns is still Tory justice.

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  7. Liam Murray says:
    November 28, 2008 at 1:09 pm

    The ‘Stalinist’ jibes and desparate attempts to lay this at Ministers doors deserve your contempt Bob but so too surely does the police action?
    Nine anti-terror police in the home of an opposition politician? If that doesn’t worry you just a little then your judgement really is awry…

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  8. Benjamin Gray says:
    November 28, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    That it is a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for the Home Secretary does not invalidate it.
    There is a matter of inconsistency here; the current government have leaked like sieves and given plenty of stories to the press that should have been announced to Parliament first. The government suddenly believing in this point of constitutional principle is something of a U-turn, or at least remarkable timing.

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  9. Bob Gom says:
    November 28, 2008 at 2:42 pm

    It seems very unlikely this was a conspiracy by the government to ‘silence the opposition’ simply because there is no way they would ever look good out of it. And it is hardly scary enough to cower them. So why would it be in the government’s interest to orchestrate it?

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  10. Rob Shorrock says:
    November 28, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Perhaps more to do with the political fall out between the met and the Tories. Less about conspiracy more about plain old revenge, perhaps?

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  11. Bob says:
    November 28, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    Liam, I’m perfectly prepared to condemn the police action…. but I would prefer to know what it was first. Yes, members of the anti-terrorist squad seems well OTT, but I have no idea what evidence they were acting on.

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