Metropolitan Police

Baroness Smith of Basildon Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, it might help the noble Lord if I just say that I have made it quite clear that we recognise the sense of duty with which our police officers undertake their tasks, and indeed our confidence in the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the content and tone of his answers. The further revelations published in the Independent newspaper today of a secret investigation into persistent corrupt networks within the Metropolitan Police are really beyond shocking. I am grateful to the Minister for his answers today, but can he tell us what action the Government will be taking in regard to these allegations as well?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I think the noble Baroness is referring to Operation Zloty and the discovery that some of the material that we were hoping to be able to use to investigate further may have been destroyed. There is a determination among everyone who is currently engaged in this matter to get to the bottom of it and to get to the truth. I am confident that we will achieve that. It may take time and there may be obstacles in our path but we are determined that the truth should be known. Indeed, by finding the truth, we will also help the police themselves regain that confidence that they should surely have about the way that they protect us.