Hughes 'should go' over police calls

Simon Hughes said his calls were 'private not secret'

The Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman is facing pressure to resign from the front bench after admitting stepping into the police investigation hanging over former Welsh Assembly Deputy First Minister Mike German.

The Southwark North and Bermondsey MP said he made four calls to South Wales Police over a six-month period.

He claimed he wanted to check on the progress of the probe - surrounding Lib Dem assembly leader Mr German's business dealings - as a matter of public interest.

Mike German stepped down last summer

But Plaid Cymru have called for Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy to sack Mr Hughes from his role because of his "error of judgement."

UK Home Secretary David Blunkett said on Thursday the enquiries to the force "could clearly be interpreted as making efforts to assist a fellow party member."

Labour assembly ministers in Cardiff Bay's coalition administration have also distanced themselves from the admission.

But First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Mr Hughes had told him of his calls to the force. Labour's Rhondda MP Chris Bryant accused Mr Hughes of harassment.

And the police force's chief constable has rejected claims the politician tried to influence his work.

Mike German temporarily stepped aside as assembly economic development minister in July 2001 as police began an investigation into the affairs of the Welsh Joint Examination Committee's European unit, which he formerly headed.

The inquiry centres on use of the WJEC's credit card on trips to the continent - Mr German has strenuously denied allegations of fraud, arguing he is the victim of a witch hunt.

There had been growing frustration in some quarters about the timetable of the inquiry, and Mr German remains innocent until proven guilty.

Calls defended

First Minister Rhodri Morgan was forced into a "tweak" of his cabinet this week, appointing Labour's E-minister Andrew Davies to the full economic role because the legal shadow has still not lifted from Mr German.

Some analysts believe the reduction of the Lib Dem representation in the cabinet to just one - Culture Minister Jenny Randerson - poses a threat to the stability of the coalition.

Charles Kennedy : Did not know about the call

Barrister Mr Hughes said there was nothing improper about his enquiries, the like of which he had made before, in the case of Damilola Taylor.

"[The investigation] seemed not to be going anywhere," he said.

"My only interest was about the timing of the investigation and I never raised any questions about the content," he told BBC Wales' political programme Dragon's Eye.

"It's always in the public interest there should be both a just and speedy conclusion."

He said he had told neither Mr German nor party leader Charles Kennedy about his series of calls because he was acting on his own initiative.

South Wales Police Chief Constable Tony Burden dismissed allegations of political interfering as "absolute nonsense," saying Mr Hughes' only queries regarded the speed of the investigation.

'Error of judgement'

But Plaid's parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd said: "I accept he was only asking about the timing of the investigation, but that's wrong.

"It puts pressure on the investigative authority to cut corners - they must have a free hand to investigate the matter fully. It's inexcusable.

"Simon Hughes, as a lawyer himself, must surely know that, if some enquiry should have been made on behalf of Mr German, his solicitor would have the right to do so."

"It is a huge error of judgement and I don't think his position on the front bench is tenable anymore."

Welsh Conservatives have also called for Charles Kennedy to dismiss his policitian. The party leader, but Welsh Liberal Democrat party leader Lembit Opik has leapt to Simon Hughes' defence.

Educated in Cardiff and Brecon, Mr Hughes - regarded as a likeable rebel within the party - is a key party figure, having picked up the home affairs baton in 1999.