§ Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will update the information given in his answer to the hon. Member for Worthing, West of 19 July 2001,Official Report, column 345W, concerning the National Black Police Association. [13708]
§ Mr. DenhamAs you will be aware, an article appeared in theEvening Standard on 8 August which suggested that the written answers which I gave on 19 July 2001, Official Report, column 345W, about the case of Superintendent Dizaei was not correct. As a result, 564W I asked Home Office officials to examine further with the Metropolitan police the information which was provided. As a result, I am satisfied that the information given in the answers, which was based on information provided by the Metropolitan police, gave a misleading impression, for which I apologise. I am satisfied that there was no intention to mislead and that the errors arose because of misunderstanding between officials and the Metropolitan police about the information which the police had provided in order to answer the questions.
I am advised by the Metropolitan police that the full and accurate picture is as indicated in my letter to the hon. Member of 9 November, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. This clarifies the position regarding the telephone calls that Superintendent Dizaei made in connection with his National Black Police Association business.