asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances and why he set aside in Home Office guidance the requirement that consent to complaints being made against police officers must be given in writing.

The requirement for a member of the public to give consent in writing to a third party to make a complaint on his behalf is to be found in section 84(4) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. It neither can be nor has been set aside in Home Office guidance.