Samantha Stobbart

Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington Excerpts

Wednesday 7th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, we certainly agree that the multi-agency risk assessment process is valuable. I have not heard anything from my colleagues that would suggest that we have any intention of doing away with them. There are clearly a number of actions that the police could have taken. One of the reasons why the chief constable referred the actions of her force to the IPCC was to discover what appropriate action could have been taken.

[Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former chief constable of Northumbria. Would the Minister not agree that this is a time for supporting Northumbria Police in a most dangerous and difficult situation? This is not a time for apportioning blame in any way, shape or form. Would she also not agree that this will be fully investigated by an independent authority? Let us support the police in their difficult task.

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

I am sure the whole House, including me, share the sentiments that have just been expressed.