§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on the disciplinary proceedings taken against the Metropolitan police constable, found by a High Court jury on 5 December 1989, to have planted cannabis on Mr. Rupert Taylor.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo. I understand that following the award to Mr. Taylor an investigation into the circumstances of his case is being carried out by an officer from the Thames Valley police under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority. No decision has yet been taken as to whether any officer connected with the case will face disciplinary proceedings.
In order for an officer to be found guilty at a disciplinary hearing the offence must be proved beyond reasonable doubt and not, as in civil proceedings, on the balance of probabilities.