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08/12/2008
MP Raid Debate Rumbles On
As pressure mounts on Commons Speaker Michael Martin to resign, MPs are expected to further discuss the furore over the police raid of Tory Damian Green’s parliamentary offices.
According to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, confidence in Mr Martin has sustain a "massive battering", with Tory leader David Cameron calling for action to restore faith in the Speaker’s office.
More than a third of MPs questioned in a BBC poll claimed they have lost confident in Mr Martin over the handling of the investigation.
Ninety MPs participated in the Radio 4 survey, of which more than half suggested the Speak had been at fault over the search and subsequent arrest of the MP.
Fifty-six of the MPs questioned expressed confidence in Mr Martin.
Three MPs have so far called for the Speaker’s resignation, with a Labour backbencher among them.
Mr Green was arrested 10 days ago over alleged leaks from the Home Office.
The Conservative immigration spokesman was held for nine hours while police officers searched his home and offices.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other cabinet minister denied any prior knowledge of the arrest.
In the absence of a search warrant, Sergeant at Arms Jill Pay authorised police access to Mr Green’s Parliamentary offices.
Mr Martin said he was made aware of the search, but was not told that police did not have a warrant.
A debate later this afternoon is expected to look at issues raised during the incident, including the rules and role of Mr Martin’s official office, which will be scrutinised by the Speaker’s committee.
Talks are scheduled to last three hours, although it has been reported some MPs will seek a vote on extending the debate to six hours.
Nick Clegg has stopped short of calling for Mr Martin’s resignation, instead insisting his party will boycott the Speaker's committee, as currently set up.
The Liberal Democrat leader told BBC 5 Live: "People's confidence in him has taken a massive battering and with very good reason because he is responsible for the people who took the decision to allow the police - without a warrant - to search Damian Green's office.
"Clearly he has got a lot of work to do to re-establish the trust and confidence without which he really can't do his job," added Mr Clegg.
(PR)
According to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, confidence in Mr Martin has sustain a "massive battering", with Tory leader David Cameron calling for action to restore faith in the Speaker’s office.
More than a third of MPs questioned in a BBC poll claimed they have lost confident in Mr Martin over the handling of the investigation.
Ninety MPs participated in the Radio 4 survey, of which more than half suggested the Speak had been at fault over the search and subsequent arrest of the MP.
Fifty-six of the MPs questioned expressed confidence in Mr Martin.
Three MPs have so far called for the Speaker’s resignation, with a Labour backbencher among them.
Mr Green was arrested 10 days ago over alleged leaks from the Home Office.
The Conservative immigration spokesman was held for nine hours while police officers searched his home and offices.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other cabinet minister denied any prior knowledge of the arrest.
In the absence of a search warrant, Sergeant at Arms Jill Pay authorised police access to Mr Green’s Parliamentary offices.
Mr Martin said he was made aware of the search, but was not told that police did not have a warrant.
A debate later this afternoon is expected to look at issues raised during the incident, including the rules and role of Mr Martin’s official office, which will be scrutinised by the Speaker’s committee.
Talks are scheduled to last three hours, although it has been reported some MPs will seek a vote on extending the debate to six hours.
Nick Clegg has stopped short of calling for Mr Martin’s resignation, instead insisting his party will boycott the Speaker's committee, as currently set up.
The Liberal Democrat leader told BBC 5 Live: "People's confidence in him has taken a massive battering and with very good reason because he is responsible for the people who took the decision to allow the police - without a warrant - to search Damian Green's office.
"Clearly he has got a lot of work to do to re-establish the trust and confidence without which he really can't do his job," added Mr Clegg.
(PR)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy start and the chance of the odd evening shower. Soon becoming dry with prolonged clear spells allowing fog patches to develop in places. Cloud increases in the early hours with patchy rain northwest towards morning. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
