Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an article in a newspaper, 46W called "John Bull," on the 10th June, entitled "Why Crime Flourishes," in which charges of corruption are made in general terms against the Metropolitan Police, and mention is made of an important divisional officer, without referring to him by name, who is alleged to be receiving nearly £100 weekly from wrongdoers in his area; whether there is any evidence as to the truth of such charges; and, if not, whether he will take action against the newspaper for the purpose of vindicating the character of the Metropolitan Police?
Mr. SHORTTIt is easy to make charges against the police and to understand how they may originate; and I am not prepared to assume that charges of this kind—involving even a few of the members of the Metropolitan Police Force —are well founded. I have, however, invited the editor of this newspaper to furnish me in the public interest with any information in his possession bearing out the charges made, and I can assure my hon. Friend that any relevant facts brought to my notice will be thoroughly investigated.