HC Deb 12 November 1888 vol 330 cc898-9
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green' S.W.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, By whose authority Henry Glennie, after having been arrested on Wednesday, September 19, at 10 p.m., on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Mrs. Wright at Canonbury, was kept in custody without being brought before a Court of summary jurisdiction until Friday, September 21; and, by whose authority the prisoner, in the interval between his apprehension and the examination before a magistrate, was, upon three separate occasions, questioned by a police officer—namely, about 11 a.m. on September 20, about 10 p.m. on the same day, and about 11 a.m on September 21?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

Henry Glennie was detained during the time named by the local Inspector in charge of the case while the necessary inquiries were being made for the purpose of ascertaining whether the prisoner ought to be sent before a magistrate or ought to be released. The case was a very serious one, and 14 persons had to be found and brought to the station, in order to complete the identification of Glennie. It was not until late on the night of the 20th that the identification was completed. He was brought before a magistrate on the following morning. Glennie was questioned on three occasions on the authority of the local Inspector who was present. He was asked whether he could refer to any persons who could prove where he was on the night in question; and whether he had any explanation to make regarding a plumber's bag which had been already identified as belonging to him.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman approves of the practice of police officers putting questions to prisoners in custody for the purpose of using the information obtained against them afterwards?

MR. MATTHEWS

In that general form I should certainly not approve of it; but I think it is only fair to a man charged with crime to offer him the earliest possible opportunity of excul- pating himself. That, I understand, is what took place.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the most eminent Judges have again and again condemned the practice of questioning prisoners by police officers?

MR. MATTHEWS

Yes, certainly, if questions are put with a view to prove them guilty; but if with a view of affording a prisoner an opportunity of giving an explanation to exonerate him from the charge against him that does not seem to me to be the same question.

MR. PICKERSGILL

In consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer I have received I shall call further attention to the subject.