§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role police forces from the United Kingdom are playing in the hunt for members of the November 17 terrorist group in Greece; and if he will make a statement. [68207]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA team of Metropolitan police officers travelled to Athens at the invitation of the Greek Government on 8 June 2000, the day the British Defence Attache, Stephen Saunders, was murdered by N17. British police officers have remained in Athens since that date, working closely with the Greek police on their investigation into Brigadier Saunders' assassination and providing advice and training for their Greek counterparts.
Following an explosion in Piraeus on 29 June and the subsequent detention of an N17 suspect, an additional team of Metropolitan police officers flew to Athens on 30 June and have remained there to assist the Greeks with their investigation.
The Government remain committed to bringing Brigadier Saunders' murderers to justice, and more widely to helping Greece fight the terrorism menace of N17. The Metropolitan police team will remain in Athens as long as its presence there is useful.