House of Commons office searched by police

Police have searched the House of Commons office of Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, in relation to a “serious arrestable offence”.

Mr Evans was arrested last month in relation to allegations of sexual assault.

The search of an MP’s offices is not unprecedented. However, on the previous occasion concerns were raised about parliamentary privilege when the police searched the offices of Damian Green MP, the current policing and justice minister, without a warrant in 2008. At the time he was an opposition MP under investigation over his involvement in leaks to the media of documents removed from the office of the Home Secretary by a civil servant.

The Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow confirmed in a statement that the “rooms of a Member were searched” on Sunday (May 19). He also said that the police had a warrant issued by the circuit judge in Preston Crown Court in Lancashire.

Mr Bercow said: “I considered the warrant personally and was advised by Officers of the House that there were no lawful grounds on which it would be proper to refuse its execution.” He pointed out that “the precincts of Parliament are not a haven from the law.”

Lancashire Constabulary issued a statement saying they had searched offices in London in connection with an investigation, adding that officers had “gone through all the appropriate and necessary procedures before taking this step”.

Mr Bercow added: “I consulted the Attorney General and the Solicitor General who concurred in this advice. I am very grateful to them.

“The Clerk of the House was kept fully informed throughout, and also concurred.”

He also confirmed that the sergeant at arms and the speaker`s counsel had been present when the search was conducted. He also said undertakings have been given by police officers as to the handling of any parliamentary material until such time as any issue of privilege is resolved.

Mr Evans denies the allegations.