May turns the tables on Met after Damian Green sacking
Prime Minister calls for police leak to be investigated as Government shifts focus

Theresa May has called for information leaked by former Met police officers that led to the sacking of her close ally Damian Green to be “properly investigated”, prompting complaints from Labour that the Government is trying to shift the focus away from its own behaviour.
The Prime Minister was forced to sack her de facto deputy after he was found to have lied when he said he did not know police had found pornography on his office computer after a raid in 2008. Green denies the allegations, first made by ex-Met assistant commissioner Bob Quick last month, and claims they were politically motivated.
Quick and former detective constable Neil Lewis, who also leaked details of the discovery to the BBC, have been referred to the data protection watchdog.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Scotland Yard has confirmed both men are being investigated by the Met over the possibility they breached confidentiality by revealing police inquiry details. Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force’s professional standards department is also investigating how the information was handled.
Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Met Police Federation, told the London Evening Standard it was right and proper that a “thorough investigation” was carried out, but added: “It is important to remember that these are not serving police officers; when you leave the police you are a member of the public. They are not subject to the same terms and conditions.”
However, he said some in the Government had been too quick to point the finger at the police. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said there are questions to answer about the conduct of the retired police officers.
“If you look at what happened, some of the actions of a retired police officer don’t sit comfortably in a democracy,” he told BBC Radio 4.
Another former Conservative minister, Andrew Mitchell, who was part of investigation into police misconduct over the “plebgate” row, told Sky News: “These two admitted breaches of the ministerial code are dwarfed by the extraordinary behaviour of the police, which fortunately is now under investigation by the proper authorities.”
Commenting on the coordinated attack by Tory MPs, Labour’s Jess Phillips said she was worried that the focus on the behaviour of the police was an attempt to steer attention away from other issues raised by the affair.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why the catastrophe bond market is growing
The Explainer The bonds pay for climate change disaster damages
-
How is the Trump bill changing 529 plans?
The Explainer The new bill provides a boost for people pursuing trades and vocational careers or seeking professional licenses and certifications
-
Destination unknown: the exciting ins and outs of mystery travel
The Week Recommends Surprise yourself the next time you vacation
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
'We know these services are needed'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
'Cracks are beginning to appear in the wall'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group