§ 40. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary what steps he is taking with regard to the two police witnesses who gave evidence for the Crown at the Marlborough Street Police Court against two persons charged with an offence against Regulation 24 of the general regulations for Hyde Park, when the case was dismissed with costs against the police; and whether these two police officers are to have an opportunity of clearing themselves or, alternatively, if they are being proceeded against?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI understand that the two officers in question 15 have obtained the issue of writs for libel, and pending the result of any legal proceedings, I can say nothing.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the issue of the writs absolves him from his undertaking to see that the cases were fully investigated and that the men were dealt with, one way or the other, before the accusation was allowed to lie over their heads?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo one in the police can issue a writ without the sanction of the Commissioner. The Commissioner has given sanction for the issue of the writs by these men, and their cases will be investigated by a, jury. It would be improper for me to arrive at a decision, one way or the other, which might be contrary to the decision arrived at a month or two later by a jury of 12 of their countrymen. The men are still employed, and I prefer, therefore, to leave the case to go before a jury, assuming always that it is pressed forward with reasonable diligence. If not, I shall have to take steps to see that it is pressed forward properly. I think a jury had better consider it and give their decision first.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDid the right hon. Gentleman give his permission for the issue of the writs or was he consulted?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI was not consulted at all. Writs are always permitted to be issued unless the Commissioner is of opinion that there is anything frivolous or vexatious about the case. In the ordinary case, the policeman is as much entitled to take this course as any Member of this House.
§ Mr. DAYAfter the termination of this case, will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter further consideration?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIf a policeman makes a charge and gives evidence in support of it, and if the charge fails, why should he get into any difficulty about it, as long as he is doing his best in the course of his duty? Does it affect his chances of promotion or his position in the force?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. I should like to make it quite clear that, 16 assuming the charge is, in the opinion of his superiors, brought bona fide it makes no difference whatever to the man's position or his chances of promotion, whether it is successful or otherwise.