MP raid police ‘had no warrant’

BBC
Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008

Commons Speaker Michael Martin has said he regrets that police were allowed to search Tory MP Damian Green’s office with no warrant during a leak inquiry.

He said he regretted a parliamentary aide had allowed the raid – by signing a consent form without consulting him.

The Speaker agreed to a debate on the issue but pressure on him is growing.

Asked if she had confidence in the Speaker, Commons Leader Harriet Harman said: “I am not saying I have got full confidence in anything or anybody.”

In an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight programme, Ms Harman said it was her responsibility to support the Speaker and his officials, and to uphold key principles such as protecting the rights of MPs to conduct their business without unwarranted interference.

But asked whether the Speaker had her full confidence, she replied: “I am not saying I have got full confidence in anything or anybody.”

She later denied she had said she had no confidence in Mr Martin, adding “It’s not a question, there is no vote of confidence in the Speaker.”

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5 Responses to “MP raid police ‘had no warrant’”

1. Cynical one Says:
   December 4th, 2008 at 9:00 am

   unbelievable, apparently our police have the powers of storm troopers and do not need warrants anymore. I was raided for one tiny dope plant, no warrant required, just intimidation and threats of property damge, by an officer reaching for her gun. yet i do not even get legal representation in this wonderful country..

2. vein Says:
   December 4th, 2008 at 9:40 am

   The police do ***NOT*** need a warrant (in the USA or UK) if the legal owner or controller of a private space gives them permission to access that space. READ THE STORY. The speaker, and his/her appointed agents, have the legal right to give the police permission to search any given part of parliament, and this is what happened in this case.

   A true little story. The leader of the conservative party (a Blair loyalist, of course) was out in public, giving some interview to the press. A young guy passing behind him made some rude gestures with his hands. Later in the day, the filthy scum that the british call a police-force, raided the kids bedroom, found a small amount of pot, and locked the kid away. Later, the judge at court was OUTRAGED at the police behaviour. However, the cretinous parents of the kid had given the uniformed scum permission to search his bedroom.

   THE POLICE ***ONLY*** NEED A WARRANT IF THEY ARE GOING TO FACE PEOPLE WHO WILL STAND UP FOR THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. The UK uniformed scum are masters at the art of intimidation, and never face punishment if they break the rules.

   Once again, the police searched the offices of the MP because the Speaker’s Office gave them legal permission. The issue of the warrantless search is an utter red-herring.

3. wildcat Says:
   December 4th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

   Before 9/11, there was something similar with airport customs and duty inspectors. A few were going around demanding to strip search anyone they thought suspicious, but would fail to tell the person that they could refuse the search. Mainly to do with people suspected of smuggling drugs.

4. expatbrit Says:
   December 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

   So no ‘vote of confidence’ called for by the opposition parties! Now there is a surprize!

   Is it not a little odd that the so called opposition newver go aginst the agenda

5. NEUTRINO Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

   The Police in both the uk and us are fundamentally LAWLESS. They obey no rules or restrictions. Fundamental basics of fair trial and fair defense are a bit like asking Nazis to respect Jews. Bullying, Threatening and Intimidatory behaviour have become the norm for those who believe they uphold ‘justice’. A message for vein or anyone who wants a dialogue…. contact me on TMI@inbox.com….. I’m based in the uk