Police raid of MP's office — New committee to investigate immediately — rejected — 8 Dec 2008 at 17:34

The majority of MPs voted against changing the motion for debate from the one that was proposed and passed in the next vote^[1] to one that read:^[2]

• That, following the search of a Member's office in the Parliamentary Estate by the police and the seizure of material therein, a committee be appointed to review the internal processes of the House administration for granting permission for such action, and to investigate all the circumstances, including Ministerial, official and police actions, which led to the search, and to review the applicable rules and procedures of the House and to make recommendations;
• That the committee have power to send for persons, papers and records; to report from time to time; to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; and
• That the Committee should be bound in its proceedings by the existing resolution of the House on matters of sub judice; and
• That the committee consist of seven members appointed by the Speaker.

The changes to the text of the Government motion are highlighted. The most important change was to delete a paragraph which said that the committee must adjourn as soon as it has chosen a chairman until after all the police inquiries have concluded.

• [1] Speaker's committee to adjourn until end of police proceedings, House of Commons Division, 8 December 2008
• [2] Menzies Campbell MP, House of Commons, 8 December 2008

Debate in Parliament | Source |