Brown denies knowledge of bugged MP

Last Modified: 03 Feb 2008
By: John Sparks

Gordon Brown has denied Conservative claims that he was tipped off about the bugging of a Labour MP in December.

The Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said he'd written to the prime minister telling him about a breach of the rules banning the police and security services from eavesdropping on MPs. But Downing Street said Mr Brown knew nothing about the claims.

The Justice Secretary has ordered an inquiry into reports that anti-terrorist police bugged the Labour MP Sadiq Khan while he was visiting a constituent in prison.

In the letter dated the 11th December, David Davis wrote to the prime minister: "I have reason to believe that the (Wilson Doctrine) has been breached in relation to communications between a constituent, arrested and detained as a terrorist suspect since 2003, and his Member of Parliament... I would be grateful if you could review this serious matter."