House of Commons · Ministerial Statement
24 May 2021 · 11 other contributors
Opened by Victoria Atkins Con Louth and Horncastle
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Victoria Atkins raised concerns about daniel morgan: independent panel report in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Government Statement
The minister announced that the Daniel Morgan independent panel, set up in 2013 by the then Home Secretary, has completed its eight-year review. The report is to be published as per the terms of reference, which state that the Home Secretary must lay it before Parliament after receiving it from the chair of the panel. The minister expressed hope that Daniel Morgan’s family will receive answers to their questions about his death through this publication.
Question
The MP questioned why the Home Secretary was delaying publication of the independent panel's report, alleging it was due to corruption in police interference by News UK. He asked for a date for publication this week and requested no deletions or redactions. Additionally, he queried whether the Home Secretary had any formal discussions with representatives from News UK.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that publication has not been blocked but has not yet occurred because the report has not been received by the Home Office. She confirmed the Home Secretary's intention to look at the report and publish it promptly.
Question
The MP asked for a timetable from the Minister for laying the report before Parliament.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that without having received the report, setting an exact date was difficult. She emphasised the Home Office's commitment to publishing the report expeditiously.
Question
The MP highlighted the family’s long wait for justice and questioned why a further security check was necessary given that one had already been carried out. He also inquired about adherence to terms of reference and requested a final publication date.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that while there is agreement on publishing the report, it has not yet been received by the Home Office. She emphasised the importance of ensuring thoroughness before making arrangements for publication.
Question
Given the history of corruption, injustice and delay in Daniel Morgan's case, asks the Home Secretary to meet his family. Asks why the panel was told delays were due to elections, mourning periods and document backlogs when there should be an independent body to adjudicate such issues.
Minister reply
Cannot publish the report until it is received by the Home Office. The Home Secretary has her own responsibilities that cannot be transferred to anyone else. She must consider national security concerns before publishing the report.
Question
The way the Minister talks about the report increases distrust and unease in an already distrustful process; asks if she will commit to publish the report before Parliament rises for Whitsun recess, if received this week.
Minister reply
Cannot commit to a publication date until the Home Office receives the report.
Question
Daniel Morgan Jr., Daniel Morgan’s son, has been waiting 34 years for justice. Asks why the current Home Secretary does not agree with the previous Home Secretary that it is improper for a Minister to seek to influence any decisions made by the independent panel.
Minister reply
The review was carried out independently and rigorously over eight years; will publish report once received, barring national security considerations.
Question
Asks what action the Home Office will commit to ensure future investigations are independent, rigorous and timeous.
Minister reply
The review has been conducted independently, rigorously and timeously. The report will be published once received, barring national security considerations.
Question
Asks for a date when the report can be seen; puzzled why it took eight years and not one year to complete the inquiry.
Minister reply
No question of the report being blocked, edited or changed. Will publish as soon as received.
Question
Asks for assurance that Parliament will see the report before anyone else and no opportunity for Maxwellisation should arise.
Minister reply
Parliament will see the report once it is laid in accordance with the inquiry terms. National security and threats to life are the only considerations.
Question
Five police investigations failed to find the person or persons responsible for Daniel’s murder, but they did find evidence of police corruption. Police officers and News UK reporters are alleged to have corrupted these investigations in the 1980s, the 1990s, and the years after 2000. Throughout these 34 years, Daniel’s brother, Alastair Morgan, has led the campaign for justice for Daniel. The Daniel Morgan independent panel was promised access to Metropolitan Police Service files, but not to any material held by News UK. Given News UK employees’ alleged involvement in the cover-up of Daniel’s murder, will the Home Office now re-establish the Leveson part 2 inquiry, which has the necessary power to investigate News UK, or do the Government intend to allow potentially guilty parties in relation to this case to go free?
Minister reply
I want to bring the hon. Lady’s attention back to this urgent question, which is about the report that the panel has drawn up following eight years of research and investigation. We want the report to be published and the truth to come out. When we receive the report, we will, in accordance with the terms of the inquiry, publish it and make arrangements for it to be laid before Parliament. There is nothing further that I can add to that because we have not yet received the report. We await it, along with everyone else, and look forward to the panel providing us with it.
Shadow Comment
Chris BryantThe shadow questioned why the Home Secretary was delaying the publication of the report, citing no legal basis for her actions. He urged the Minister to publish the report in full without delay and to disclose any communications with News UK or its representatives.