To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis was for the claim made by senior officials in her Department that the unauthorised disclosure of information to the hon. Member for Ashford was a potential risk to national security; what representations she has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public about this issue; and if she will make a statement. (270590)

The Cabinet Office statement, issued on 18 April 2009 makes clear that between 2005 and the start of the police investigation there were a large number of leaks from across Government, including information classified as secret and above—a classification usually given only on national security grounds. In addition, there were about 20 leaks of classified documents directly from the Home Office.

The Director of Public Prosecutions’ statement on 16 April 2009 acknowledged that “once the pattern of leaks was established in this case, it was inevitable that a police investigation would follow”.

Any leaks are a serious matter. They have a corrosive and damaging effect on the business of Government and undermine the core value of the impartiality of the civil service, as set out in the civil service code.

Ministers received a small amount of correspondence from both members of the public and hon. Members on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she was informed that the hon. Member for Ashford would not be prosecuted; and if she will make a statement. (270715)

The Director of Public Prosecutions informed my right hon. Friend’s office by fax at 10.49 on 16 April 2009 that the hon. Member for Ashford would not be prosecuted. The DPP made a televised statement shortly after 11.00 and issued a press release to this effect at 11.15.