HC Deb 21 June 1889 vol 337 cc407-9
DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Kelly, commission agent, Westport, Ireland, who is alleged to have been "shadowed" by Irish detectives during a business visit to Glasgow and Edinburgh extending from 22nd May to 31st May; whether it is true, as stated, that these Irish detectives followed Mr. Kelly from Greenock to Glasgow, put up at the same hotel with him, tracked him to the house of a Glasgow merchant, who had invited him to pass the night there, and hovered about offices of merchants with whom lie was transacting business; that when, through the interference of one of the merchants, they were confronted with Mr. Kelly, they stated that if he would detail to them his movements in Scotland they would not trouble him so much, and excused themselves by saying that they were just performing the duty assigned to them; whether the men referred to were really detectives as they stated; and, if so, by what warrant or what authority they interfered with Mr. Kelly's movements in Scotland, and especially under what authority known to Scottish law they obtruded the fact of their presence and alleged business on the merchants with whom Mr. Kelly was transacting business, in a manner calculated injuriously to affect his credit?

* THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) Buteshire

I am informed that, from the 22nd to the 24th May, the movements of Mr. Kelly in Glasgow and the neighbourhood were watched by Irish detectives. The detectives did not put up at the same hotel, nor did they track him to the house of a Glasgow merchant. On the 24th May a merchant with whom Mr. Kelly was dealing and with whom one of the detectives was acquainted proposed to introduce, and did introduce, the detectives to Mr. Kelly. No question was asked by the detectives of Mr. Kelly, but Mr. Kelly mentioned that he was on a business visit and was going to Edinburgh and other places; and thereupon the detectives ceased from watching his movements. Nothing was done by the detectives which required any special warrant or authority to be obtained in Scotland.

DR. CAMERON

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say that Mr. Kelly's movements were not watched on more than one occasion?

* MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

I do not know the particulars, but I have stated that his movements were watched on the days I mentioned.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

Upon what grounds were the police entitled to follow this gentleman in Scotland when he was engaged there in the pursuit of his own lawful business? Did the police possess a warrant?

* MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

The question upon what grounds the detectives acted is one which it does not fall within my province to answer. As to the second, I may say that no warrant was required.

DR. CAMERON

I beg to give notice that upon the earliest opportunity I will call attention to the administration of justice in Scotland by the English and Irish Authorities.

MR. SEXTON

If the right hon. Gentleman is unable to answer my question, to what Department may I look for an answer?

* MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

I stated that I believe the police engaged were Irish detectives; and I should suppose that this sufficiently indicated to the right hon. Gentleman the Department of Government concerned.

MR. SEXTON

Is the Chief Secretary for Ireland able to say whether it was by his authority that these detectives followed this Irish gentleman to Scotland?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think that is a question which ought to be put down upon the Paper. I believe that this gentleman was imprisoned under Mr. Forster's Act as a suspect.

MR. SEXTON

Eight years ago.