HC Deb 16 December 1993 vol 234 cc786-7W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about Mr. Graham Wyn Jones, Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

Mr. Howard

Following a review by Mr. Jeremy Gompertz QC of the evidence relating to Mr. Wyn Jones's conduct, the then Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informed my predecessor in October 1992 that he regarded Mr. Wyn Jones's behaviour as reprehensible and wholly inconsistent with what was expected of someone holding the office of Assistant Commissioner.

The Permanent Under-Secretary of State of the Home Department heard representations from Mr. Wyn Jones in January 1993.

My predecessor subsequently concluded that Her Majesty the Queen should be advised that Mr. Wyn Jones should no longer be regarded as fit to hold his office. I delayed putting such advice to Her Majesty so that Mr. Wyn Jones should have an opportunity to seek leave to apply for judicial review. This he did, but on 2 December 1993 the Divisional Court refused him leave.

I accordingly advised Her Majesty the Queen that Mr. Wyn Jones must be regarded as unfit to continue to hold office as an Assistant Commissioner and Her Majesty has now withdrawn his warrant of appointment. Mr. Wyn Jones has been removed from office.