Counter-terrorism Debate

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Department: Home Office

Counter-terrorism

Julian Lewis Excerpts
Thursday 20th January 2011

(13 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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The right hon. Gentleman rather makes my point. I repeat that my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House said last week that the Home Secretary would make a statement next week, and I am now able to reveal that it will be next Wednesday, so he asks the correct question: why are we doing this now? We are doing it now because the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) asked an urgent question and I have shocked him by giving a substantive answer. I make no apology for that.

Julian Lewis Portrait Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)
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Can my hon. Friend explain why this welcome announcement appeared prematurely in so many media outlets at the same time? We always criticised that when we were in opposition and I would have hoped we would take firm action against leaks now that we are in government.

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I have no idea where that information came from. I can only say that nothing to do with any of this has ever come out from me or my office.