Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 1997. It was answered by Lord Morris of Aberavon (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 1997 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Attorney General

Question: To ask Mr Attorney General, on what date the DPP received a letter from the editor of the Guardian about the alleged perjury of Jonathan Aitken following the collapse of the libel action; on what date she replies.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Attorney-General on what date the DPP received from the editor of The Guardian about the alleged perjury of Jonathan Aitken following the collapse of the libel action; on what date she replied; and if he will make a statement. [20383] The Attorney-General: On 20 June 1997, the Director of Public Prosecutions received a letter from the editor of the Guardian. She replied on 23 June 1997, explaining that the Crown Prosecution Service is not an investigative authority. A complaint against Mr. Aitken was later made to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who has appointed a team of officers to investigate the allegations made against Mr. Aitken. That investigation continues. The police, at the conclusion of their enquiries, will forward a report to the Crown Projection Service. This will then be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 20383; 303 c181W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Criminal investigation Crown Prosecution Service Newspaper press The Guardian Aitken, Jonathan