§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an investigation into the contract to install open circuit television in Monmouth and the role of the then Acting Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Mr. Richard Thomas; and if he will make a statement. [130871]
§ Ms BlearsThere are no plans for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to set up an investigation.
I am advised by Gwent Police that Gwent Police Authority requested an investigation by the District Auditor relating to issues surrounding CCTV in spring 2000. The preliminary results of this inquiry led the Chief Constable of Gwent to refer the matter to the Chief Constable of West Mercia for a full criminal investigation relating to the then retired Acting Chief Constable, Richard Thomas, and others. Work on this started in July 2000. At the conclusion of the investigation a report was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who having considered the evidence, concluded on 31 January 2002 that there would be no criminal proceedings. The recommendations within the District Auditors report are being pursued by Gwent Police Authority.