MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

MP Green office raid: Commons accuses ministers of contempt

British Ministers were accused of treating the House of Commons with contempt as they sought to delay an inquiry into a police raid of an MP's parliamentary office, reports the London press.

Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman insisted it was essential an investigation into the affair by MPs should wait until after the police probe into Home Office leaks is over. The Commons had to avoid any suggestion of "breathing down the police's neck" and avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings, she said. But the Tories, already furious that the Government has limited the debate to three hours, said the plans flew in the face of Commons Speaker Michael Martin's intentions. The Liberal Democrats have already said that they will boycott the committee. Mr Martin proposed that a seven-man committee of MPs would investigate after the Metropolitan Police searched Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green's office, taking away papers and computer equipment. The Government wants a Labour majority of MPs on the committee and does not want it starting work until the police inquiry is concluded. Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said: "as proposed by the Government, this committee would be stymied in its remit, packed with a Government majority and be silenced at the time when it is needed most." She urged MPs to treat the Government's proposals with "the same degree of contempt with which the Government has treated this House". The attacks on the Government were a diversion from criticism of Mr Martin, who is himself under serious pressure over his handling of the affair.