§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information was served on the justice of the peace who granted the search warrant for the searching of premises occupied by(a) Detective John Redgrave on 3 February 1997 and (b) Michael Charman on 17 July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [140115]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI understand from the Commissioner that the searching of Mr. Redgrave's premises on 3 February 1997 was as a result of a search warrant granted by a justice of the peace. The information presented to the justice of the peace was sufficient for the search warrant to be granted. It would not be appropriate to disclose the detailed information available to the police which was presented to the magistrate to obtain a warrant.
The premises of Detective Constable Charman to which my hon. Friend refers were in fact those of his girlfriend and they were searched on 16 July. This search was carried out under the powers in section 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.