Lord Broughshaneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that in September 1983 the Metropolitan Police communicated to a certain foreign police department an opprobrious report concerning the character of Dr. Brian Richards, MB, BCh, against whom the police department thereupon preferred a criminal charge; that, although now officially admitted (Home Office letter 8th February 1984) to have been mistaken, this report has never been withdrawn; and whether Her Majesty's Government will, in the interest of common justice, urge the Metropolitan Police to take immediate action to correct the prejudice which has been imported into the circumstances of Dr. Richards' forthcoming trial.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)We understand that the Metropolitan Police, responding to a request from the Los Angeles Police Department, sent them a report containing unsubstantiated information about Dr. Brian Richards. They were mistaken in doing so, but since the information is in the possession of the United States authorities, the offending remarks cannot now be withdrawn. The Metropolitan Police have, however, taken steps to inform the Los Angeles Police that the information they supplied was unsubstantiated and have provided Dr. Richards with a letter containing a clear statement that the informa136WA tion they supplied was not capable of proof and should not have been disclosed. Dr. Richards is free to make full use of that letter by drawing it to the attention of the court as a means of demonstrating this lack of proof.
The Government are, of course, concerned that information of an unsubstantiated nature was passed by the Metropolitan Police to a foreign police force but are satisfied that everything possible has been done to restore the situation. We further understand that the commissioner has taken steps to ensure that such unauthorised disclosure does not occur in future.