§ 26. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether medical certificates are called for by the Metropolitan Police when persons with a history of serious psychiatric illness are employed by them in any capacity, including that of an informer.
§ Mr. SharplesMedical reports are required on people who wish to join the police force or seek permanent employment on the civil staff. The police are well aware of the need to assess and as far as possible, to verify material supplied by an informant, whatever his history.
§ Mr. HoosonThe hon. Gentleman must be aware of the very disturbing report in a national newspaper that ex-Sergeant Challenor, who has retired from the police force on psychiatric grounds, has been employed and paid as an 1354 informer by the West End Central police authorities. Is this story true? It has been repeated in other magazines. If it is, is not it a grave cause for disquiet, in view of that man's record?
§ Mr. SharplesI understand that the Commissioner of Police has informed the editor of the paper concerned in these terms:
There is no record of Challenor having been paid any reward from Metropolitan Police Funds for information supplied since he left the police service.I understand that there may be legal proceedings arising out of the article. In view of that, it would be improper for me to make any further comment.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisCan the hon. Gentleman assure us that in no circum stances will ex-Detective-Sergeant Challenor be employed in any capacity, whether as an informer or in any other capacity, by any police force in the country, especially having regard to the fact that he led other young officers into a situation as a result of which they were convicted and imprisoned?
§ Mr. SharplesAs I said, I understand that there may be legal proceedings arising out of this matter. It would be improper for me to make any further comment.