§ Mr. Ron BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received recent representations from Tarek A. Shirief's lawyers about the return of his passport; and if he will make a statement about the inquiry into alleged misconduct by West Sussex police regarding this case.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 July at column303. We have no record of having received any further representations from Mr. Shirief's solicitors since then.
Mr. Shirief's complaint against the West Sussex police is being dealt with under the terms of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The investigation of such complaints is the responsibility of the chief officer of the force concerned and Ministers have no authority to intervene. I understand that the investigation cannot proceed at present because Mr. Shirief's whereabouts are unknown.