HC Deb 26 April 1901 vol 92 cc1455-6
MR. NANNETTI

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. J. P. O'Brien, of Dublin, an ex-political prisoner, who is at present in London suffering from ill-health, has been subjected to surveillance by Scotland Yard officers; and that, on Tuesday evening last, Inspector Hedley and another officer called at the house, 15, Felix Street, Hackney, where Mr. O'Brien was on a visit to his brother, and questioned him as to his identity and movements; will he say what explanation the police authorities have to offer for the action of these officers; and whether it is with the sanction of the Home Office that Mr. O'Brien has been subjected to this surveillance.

* MR. RITCHIE

The officers acted in this matter in the ordinary course of their duty and not under special instructions. I understand that on the occasion of their calling on Mr. O'Brien they told him they had done so under a misapprehension, and that he was not the man they were looking for, and that Mr. O'Brien accepted the apology.

MR. FLAVIN

Were they justified in going to a cemetery during the interment of a gentleman and causing great inconvenience there?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. FLAVIN

That took place yesterday.