§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan police received from the Police Complaints Authority its referral of the complaint of Mr. Keith Green; for what reason it was passed for investigation to an officer due to retire; when the results of the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department inquiries into this matter were completed; what were the reasons for the length of time for the inquiries' completion; and if he will make a statement. [114964]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the Police Complaints Authority authorises the appointment of investigating officers for individual cases, based on their ability to conduct the inquiry. Detailed information about Mr. Green's case is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason(a) on 9 December 1997 Mr. Keith Green was offered accommodation in a safe house, (b) this offer was made in the absence of a solicitor, (c) no tape recording of the interview was made and (d) no caution was given; and if he will make a statement. [114961]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that no such offer was made. The purpose of the interview on 9 December was to obtain intelligence and not evidence and, therefore, did not have to be carried out in accordance with Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the Police Complaints Authority passed the complaint of Mr. Keith Green of 16 February 1999, against CIB to the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department for investigation; and if he will make a statement. [114962]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe appropriate authority for the investigation of a complaint in relation to the Metropolitan police is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. As a matter of course, the Police Complaints Authority passes any such complaint that it receives to the Commissioner. It is for the Commissioner to decide the manner in which the complaint is to be investigated. I am advised that in this instance, the then Commissioner directed that the complaint be investigated by an independent officer attached to a Metropolitan police area different from that where the respondents were based.