Ex-terror cop threatens to sue Damian Green for claiming he 'lied' over porn raid
2 min read
The ex-police chief who claimed pornography was found on the computer of Damian Green has said he could sue the First Secretary of State over attempts to subsequently “discredit” him.
Bob Quick called on Mr Green to “publicly retract” allegations that he had lied about the "vast amount" of pornography found on the MP's personal computer during an inquiry into government leaks in 2008.
The de facto deputy Prime Minister, who remains under investigation, has insisted the allegations are "completely untrue", and called the former officer “discredited” and a “tainted and untrustworthy source”.
However in a statement released through his solicitors, the now retired Mr Quick ramped up the running feud by calling on Mr Green to take back the “deeply unpleasant and personal attack” or face legal action.
“Damian Green called me a liar in the statement he tweeted on November 4, 2017. That is completely untrue,” he wrote.
“Everything I have said is accurate, in good faith, and in the firm belief that I have acted in the public interest.'
He added: 'I wish to make it clear for the avoidance of any doubt or further speculation that I am in no way motivated politically and bear no malice whatsoever to Damian Green.
'This is despite unfortunate and deeply hurtful attempts to discredit me. Everything I have said about this matter has been in good faith, and in the firm belief that I have acted in the public interest.
'I invite Damian Green publicly to retract his allegations against me. I am considering legal action.”
In response to the letter, a spokesperson for the minister said: “It would be inappropriate for Mr Green to comment while the Cabinet Office inquiry is ongoing and while the Metropolitan Police is investigating the conduct of former officers.”
The intervention coincides with Met Commissioner Cressida Dick’s claim that both Mr Quick and former detective constable Neil Lewis could be prosecuted in relation to the saga.
She said officers’ duty of confidentiality continued after they left their posts and that their public accusations against Mr Green were “wrong”.
"In my view, that duty endures. It endures after you leave the service, so I believe that what this officer and, indeed, other retired officers, appears to have done is wrong and my professional standards department will be reviewing what has happened in relation to how information has been handled and if any offences are disclosed, we will investigate them,” she added.
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