§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Attorney-General on what date the DPP received a letter from the editor ofThe Guardian about the alleged perjury of Jonathan Aitken following the collapse of the libel action; on what date she replied; and if he will make a statement. [20383]
§ The Attorney-GeneralOn 20 June 1997, the Director of Public Prosecutions received a letter from the editor of the Guardian. She replied on 23 June 1997, explaining that the Crown Prosecution Service is not an investigative authority. A complaint against Mr. Aitken was later made to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who has appointed a team of officers to investigate the allegations made against Mr. Aitken. That investigation continues. The police, at the conclusion of their inquiries, will forward a report to the Crown Projection Service. This will then be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.