HC Deb 15 November 1928 vol 222 cc1055-8
12. Mr. HAYES

asked the Home Secretary whether the papers in the case of ex-station sergeant Goddard, dismissed from the C Division, Metropolitan Police, were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; whether there were any previous allegations made by brother officers; and, if so, with what result?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Station sergeant Goddard pleaded guilty before a Disciplinary Tribunal to two charges. The first was a charge of neglect of duty in failing, when so directed, to give any satisfactory explanation of the receipt by him of large sums of ready money from an unknown source, and the second, a charge of discreditable conduct in betting and engaging in speculation with convicted bookmakers and other undesirable persons. It. was on those charges that he was dismissed. The question of the source of the money referred to in the first charge has been the subject of searching investigation upon which the Commissioner of Police is still engaged in conjunction with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and for the present I would prefer to make no further statement.

Mr. HAYES

In the course of the inquiry that is being held, will regard be had to the series of allegations which have been made in the past against this officer by his brother officers, and will the witnesses who have been previously dealt with for bringing false allegations against this officer now have an opportunity of rehabilitating themselves?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I can assure the hon. Member that the matter has engaged my own personal attention for some weeks past and everything possible will be done to deal with a case which is by no means satisfactory.

Mr. DAY

When was the right hon. Gentleman's notice first called to the charges against this man, and, if it was some considerable time ago, why was not action taken earlier?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

There was a charge made against this man. As a very complete investigation is being undertaken by the Commissioner, in conjunction with myself and the Director of Public Prosecutions, I hope the House will not press me any further.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

The Home Secretary says one of the charges was betting with bookmakers. Is it an offence for a police officer to bet only with an unlicensed or a convicted bookmaker or is all betting forbidden?

13. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution and conviction of a police constable on a charge of accepting a bribe of £2 from a bookmaker's assistant; why there was no prosecution of ex-Station-sergeant Goddard, who was dismissed and a statement published that he had illicitly received £44,000 from night clubs, etc.; and why there was no prosecution of his assistant, the constable, who was allowed to resign although found in possession of £12,000.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have seen in the Press references to the case mentioned in the first part of the question. That case stands on quite a different footing from the case of Station-sergeant Goddard, as to which I have just replied to a question by the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes). I cannot at present supplement that reply except by saying that I know of no authority for the statement that Goddard had received £48,000 from night clubs. There is at present no information on which criminal proceedings could be taken against the constable referred to in the last part of the question, nor was he found in possession of £12,000 or any like sum.

Mr. JOHNSTON

In reference to the last part of the answer, will the right hon. Gentleman explain how the figure of £12,000 appeared in the Press along with a very explicit statement, which has been shown to be correct, as to what happened in Goddard's case, and can he say whether the figure of £48,000 was the estimate made, including the cash in hand, and whether there is any other property, including the pawn shops, of which the police have discovered this roan to be in possession?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I really cannot be responsible for the figure of £48,000. As far as the £12,000 is concerned, it was not found in his possession. At present, it is in my possession.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman, in the public interest, answer the question without, I do not want to use the word evasion, of the small point as to whether the money was actually in the constable's possession?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I think there is no harm in saying this. The hon. Member, or the Press on which he has founded this question, has muddled up the two cases. It was found in Sergeant Goddard's possession.

Mr. DAY

Is the statement in the question correct that this man received £48,000 from night clubs?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have answered that question.