Investigating the investigators

The decision by the Met to hold a review into the Damian Green arrest can only be welcomed – and is perhaps the clearest indication yet that the police feel something’s gone wrong somewhere down the line.  But what will come out of it?  One imagines that the conclusions will necessarily – and perhaps rightly – be limited to matters of police procedure.  Chances are it won’t answer some of the more pertinent questions swirling around the Westminster washbowl: such as which government figures knew what, and when; whether parliamentary figures have failed in their duties; and how Parliament can recover from any damage incurred by this matter.  As James stressed last week, Parliament itself has a duty to address these issues.  Until it does so, then there’s always the risk that no true lessons will be learned.