Two police officers could be prosecuted for revealing details to the media of pornography found on computers inside the former first secretary of state, Damian Green's parliamentary office.
Bob Quick, former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and Neil Lewis, who was a detective constable in the force, are said to have given the media details from the 2008 investigation in the Houses of Parliament.
Bob Quick had allegedly revealed to the media that “extreme” material had been found in an investigation into unrelated Home Office leaks in 2008, while Neil Lewis had later allegedly stated that he was “shocked” to find excessive legal pornographic images on Damian Green's computer, indicating prolific web browsing.
Green was forced to resign on Wednesday night for breaching the ministerial code by making “inaccurate and misleading statements”, even though he denied the downloading or viewing pornography.
Scotland Yard has revealed that the two officers had been referred to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) over the revelation of “confidential material gathered during a police investigation”.
A spokesperson from Scotland Yard said that legal advice had seen sought regarding how best to take action against the two officers nearly a decade after the inquiry. The spokesperson added, “It was determined that the most appropriate course of action was to make a referral to the ICO to carry out a further investigation in relation to potential Data Protection Act offences. The Met is clear that confidential information gathered during any police inquiry should remain confidential. That is an enduring confidentiality regardless of whether an officer leave the service.”
The Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham stated, “We will be looking at whether individuals acted unlawfully by retaining or disclosing personal data. These are serious allegations and we are investigating to determine whether the law has been broken and what further action is necessary including potential criminal prosecution.”
