§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers have been charged with offences discovered during the Lancet inquiry; [79094]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Police Complaints Authority regarding the progress of the Lancet inquiry into alleged police corruption in Cleveland; and if he will make a statement; [79098]
(3) what steps he is taking to monitor the progress of the Lancet inquiry into the alleged police corruption in Cleveland; and if he will make a statement; [79212]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Operation Lancet inquiry into allegations of police corruption in Cleveland is being supervised by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), and it is for the PCA to monitor the progress of the inquiry. The length of the investigation is a matter for the investigating officer and the PCA. I have not discussed the inquiry with the PCA. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on criminal or disciplinary investigations, including Operation Lancet, not least because my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has a role in the disciplinary process as the appellate authority, and my right hon. Friend may in the future be called upon in that capacity to consider any disciplinary appeals from offenders arising from this inquiry.
No police officers have been charged with offences as a result of Operation Lancet inquiry to date, but the inquiry is continuing and I understand that a number of possible criminal and disciplinary matters are still under investigation. There has been close consultation with the 606W Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) throughout the inquiry. A file on drugs-related issues was delivered to the CPS on 4 December 1998 and is now with Treasury Counsel.