Statement from Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations John Yates following the publication of the HMIC report today, 12 October, on the Met's investigation of Home Office leaks and arrest of Damian Green MP:
The MPS is grateful to both Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor and Sir Ian Johnston for the work they have carried out during their respective reviews. Both have recognised the sensitivities and challenges surrounding investigations of this nature. Both also acknowledge the need for change and for clarity surrounding the arrangements between police, the House of Commons and other agencies in the future.
The HMIC report clearly reinforces that the police must have the unfettered right to investigate any matter and be able to act without fear or favour on any investigation when there are reasonable grounds to suspect an offence may have been committed.
From the moment we were told that the leaks from the Home Office may have involved matters relating to national security, it was our priority to carry out a thorough investigation.
We accept that some elements of the inquiry could have been carried out differently, and lessons learned from this have already been factored into how we conduct this type of inquiry both now and in the future. The HMIC has recommended the need for clear protocols and careful checks and balances as an operation develops. We accept this.
Both reports question the proportionality of some aspects of the investigation. The MPS recognises the importance of these conclusions.
We welcome the findings of both reports that the arrests and searches were lawful. The Johnston report states that there were reasonable grounds to suspect an offence had been committed and a reasonable basis to arrest Mr Green to obtain evidence through questioning him.
This has also been echoed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who stated that once a pattern of leaks was established it was inevitable that a police investigation would follow. He also said that it had been a thorough investigation.
Now is the time to look forward. We accept the HMIC's recommendations insofar as they affect the MPS and look forward to being a party to any deliberations concerning the way in which we work on inquiries of this nature in the future.
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