Justine Greening says action should be taken against police over Damian Green porn claims
2 min read
Cabinet minister Justine Greening has said action must be taken against “unprofessional” police officers who have claimed they found porn on Damian Green’s computer.
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show this morning, the Education Secretary said “steps” should be taken against officers as they had breached police “professionalism” and “privacy” rules.
The First Secretary of State has faced mounting allegations from former police officers who have said they found pornographic material on his computer during a 2008 investigation into Home Office leaks.
The Sunday Times reported this morning that computer files that were thought to have been deleted had been held onto by officers.
This follows an intervention from former detective Neil Lewis, who examined Mr Green’s computer as part of the 2008 investigation, who said there was “no doubt” that the material had been found and he had been "shocked" by the content.
However, Mr Green has strongly denied the claims and said in an initial statement: “I can only assume that they are being made now, nine years later, for ulterior motives.”
Ms Greening told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I think there are two parts to this. One is obviously the Cabinet Office review into the behaviour of Damian Green.
“The second is I think any steps the police need to be taking in relation to what would seem to be a breach of police professionalism in breaching privacy…
“I think it is important that we have high standards in public life.”
When asked if it was permissible to watch porn at work, the Education Secretary replied: “There are clear laws. I think most employers would say it wasn’t acceptable.”
This follows reports 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 source said.
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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