Samantha Stobbart

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate Excerpts

Wednesday 7th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

Let me give the House the timelines. The prisoner was released on 1 July, the information about this man’s statements was given to the force on 2 July and the chief constable learnt of that information only on 4 July. She referred the matter to the IPCC the following morning; clearly she felt there was a need to do so. I cannot go beyond that at the moment because this matter is under investigation, so I cannot help the House further.

[Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate]

My Lords, does the noble Baroness think that there is now a powerful case for looking at the size and number of police forces?

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, the Northumbria Police are receiving mutual aid. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has been in touch with the force. If it needs any further assistance, it will certainly be given it. As for the noble Lord’s basic question of whether it is a good idea for forces to help each other, we as a party are in favour of forces joining together, or indeed merging if they wish, provided there is local support for such a move.