Damian Green porn row rumbles on as it emerges ‘secret files were kept by police’
2 min read
Police who claim they found pornography on Damian Green’s office computer in 2008 say they kept key files that they were told to delete.
According to the Sunday Times, the evidence could prove devastating to the First Secretary of State, who has strongly denied the allegations.
Accusations that pornographic material had been found on Mr Green’s computer were first made by former Met assistant commissioner Bob Quick.
More recently former detective Neil Lewis, who examined Mr Green’s computer in 2008 as part of an investigation into Home Office leaks, said there was “no doubt” that the material had been found and he had been "shocked" by the content.
But the senior Tory has maintained his innocence, and said in an initial statement: “No allegations about the presence of improper material on my parliamentary computers have ever been put to me or to the parliamentary authorities by the police.
“I can only assume that they are being made now, nine years later, for ulterior motives.”
However, according to the Sunday Times, the relevant files, which contain thousands of pornographic images, were deleted but not permanently erased.
The newspaper reports that a copy was made because officers were concerned over the request to delete evidence.
Elsewhere there are rumours that Brexit Secretary David Davis has threatened to quit if his Cabinet colleague is forced out over the row.
However, a source told HuffPost UK that Mr Davis was not likely to step down, but did feel “aggrieved” at Mr Green’s treatment.
“David has an historic role in government and we are within touching distance of getting a major breakthrough on Brexit. Why would he walk away from that?”
The de facto deputy Prime Minister is currently being investigated as part of a Cabinet Office inquiry into the porn accusations and claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour, which he also denies.
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