We can now give you that Tory story. Damian Green, the shadow immigration minister, has for some time had a whistleblower in the Home Office, which resulted in four stories ending up in the newspapers. And for this, at 12.50 today he was arrested – but not charged. On suspicion of what, you might ask? “Suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office, and aiding and abetting counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office.” In other words, using his contacts to bring the truth to the British public via the press.
David Cameron is standing by him, and from what we know so far this sounds perfectly correct. The Tories I have spoken to think the arrest incredibly heavy-handed, especially as there is no suggestion that he did not act in the public interest.
Update: There are apparently counter-terrorism officers involved in this investigation. One would have thought they would have better things to do.
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