§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent findings by Mr. Colin Sampson, chief constable of West Yorkshire, into the affairs of Mr. John Stalker, deputy chief constable, Greater Manchester police.
§ Mr. HurdMr. Sampson submitted his report on his investigation to the Greater Manchester police authority on 14 August. The police authority later decided not to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Stalker, and advised him to be more circumspect in his political and criminal associations.
I asked for observations from those principally concerned so that I could be fully aware of all the aspects of the case and consider whether there were any lessons to be learnt for the investigation of any future allegations against senior police officers.
I have also considered whether a further inquiry should be undertaken into the origin of the allegations against Mr. Stalker, having regard to continued speculation that the allegations were linked in some way to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and to the inquiry which Mr. Stalker was then conducting and which is nearing completion under Mr. Sampson's leadership. However, Mr. Sampson was aware of that speculation but found no evidence to substantiate it. Moreover, a further inquiry at this stage could be prejudicial to any criminal proceedings which might follow from the inquiry which Mr. Sampson is now conducting in Northern Ireland.