Police Detention

Chris Ruane Excerpts

Thursday 30th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Nick Herbert]

I think that the best way that I could respond would be by quoting the legal expert Professor Michael Zander QC, whom my hon. Friend may have heard on the “Today” programme this morning. He said:

“The only justification for the ruling is a literal interpretation of the Act which makes no sense”.

[Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab)]

For the third time, was the Home Office advised of the oral judgment in May, yes or no?

[Nick Herbert]

For the third time, I say to the hon. Gentleman that I have explained the timeline in detail. When he looks at the record, he will see that I said—I am happy to repeat this—that Greater Manchester police approached the Home Office in May, but we received the written judgment from the court only on 17 June. Therefore, action was taken as soon as possible to understand the effects and seek advice once that written judgment was taken.