§ 12. Mr. Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington)If he will make a statement on the Home Office and Metropolitan police's policy towards the Gordon Warren case. [53519]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Kate Hoey)This case is essentially a personnel issue for the Metropolitan police. As police authority, we have approved the ex-gratia payment of £85,000 which is on offer to Mr. Warren. I believe that this figure represents a fair settlement to Mr. Warren. We all agree that he was unfairly treated and unlawfully retired from the Metropolitan police.
§ Mr. BrakeI thank the Minister for that response. Attempts began in 1982 to get Mr. Warren retired from the police force on mental health grounds because he refused to go to a blue movies party that was organised during staff time. Those attempts continued for five years. Attempts were also made to get him to retire on ill-health grounds, on the basis of an ailment that he did not suffer.
§ Madam SpeakerA question, please.
§ Mr. BrakeDoes the Minister agree that £85,000 for 16 years of suffering at the hands of the Metropolitan police—to cover his legal costs, and the loss of his salary and pension rights—is a derisory sum? Does she also agree that she needs to act now to ensure that this matter is resolved to the satisfaction of Mr. Warren without further prevarication or procrastination?
§ Kate HoeyI agree with the hon. Gentleman that this case has taken a long time. I believe that the settlement 15 of £85,000 is fair and reasonable. If that is finally agreed, there will be an independent assessment of the sum once the other elements of the settlement package are agreed.