British MP arrested for receiving leaked info

A huge uproar has occurred in the United Kingdom with the Shadow Immigration Minister, Damian Green, arrested over his use of leaked information that embarrasses the Government.

David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, described the move as “somewhere between an astonishing error of judgment and judicial intimidation”.

“Damian Green was doing his job, he was holding the Government to account … None of [the documents] put the national intelligence, national security or international relations at risk,” Mr Davis said, “Yet we end up with a situation that is in some way reminiscent of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, with an opposition spokesman being arrested for nine hours. It is extraordinary, frankly.”

If the MP in question had broken into Whitehall and stole the documents, then one might have some cause for arrest. But all that has happened is he received leaked copies of government papers. A lot of MPs would be getting locked up on that basis.

Helen probably regrets she never got Howard to arrest Tony Ryall for his use of leaked information.

No Right Turn is appalled.

What will be interesting is what Ministers knew about the arrest in advance. The Police informed the Opposition Leader and the Speaker. It is impossible to believe the denials that neitehr the Home Secretary nor the Prime Minister were given a heads up. London Mayor Boris Johnson was told in advance and tried to talk them out of it.