Senator's home search 'was legal'

Mr Syvret's home was searched after his arrest on 6 April

The attorney general has said a search of a senator's home, which was carried out without a warrant, was legal.

William Bailhache told the States he was confident police followed the law when they searched Stuart Syvret's home after his arrest earlier this month.

Mr Syvret was arrested in connection with allegations of breaching data protection laws. He was released later pending further inquiries.

Mr Bailhache said the search was legal under the provisions of Article 29.

He told members the law enabled police to search premises following an arrest for which they had probable cause.

"Under Article 3.1 of the Police Force Law, where a police officer with reasonable cause suspects that any person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence, the police officer may arrest that person," he said.

The attorney general, who said he knew about the search in advance, was responding to a question by Deputy Trevor Pitman.