Police taped arrest of MP Green

Damian Green's arrest sparked a huge political row

The police officers who arrested Conservative frontbench MP Damian Green were wearing sound recording equipment, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Police said a tape recording was made "without his knowledge" but with the "best of intentions" to provide an accurate record of the arrest.

The Met has referred the issue to the Surveillance Commissioner for advice.

Tories accused police of "heavy-handed tactics" when Mr Green was arrested as part of a Home Office leak inquiry.

The shadow immigration minister was held by police for nine hours after his arrest on 27 November and had his Commons offices searched. He was released on bail without charge.

'Total transparency'

The Met said: "A tape sound recording was made of the MP's arrest and subsequent period in police charge, without his knowledge, prior to arrival at Belgravia Police station from Kent.

"This was authorised at superintendent level to provide an accurate record of anything that may have been said by officers or the MP over a period of nearly two and a half hours.

"This was done with the best of intentions but to ensure total transparency this matter has been voluntarily referred to the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) for their advice.

The Met said the Crown Prosecution Service was aware of the information which would be fully disclosable if any proceedings took place.

The arrest sparked a row between the officer in charge of the inquiry, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, and the Conservatives.

On Monday Mr Quick apologised "unreservedly" to the Conservative Party for claiming the party had mobilised the press against him.

The arrest of Mr Green and the search of his home and offices prompted a political row.

There was an outcry among MPs from all parties that the police action represented a fundamental breach of their right to hold the government to account.

Police had been asked by the Cabinet Office to investigate alleged leaks from the Home Office.