SCOTLAND YARD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 244, 16 July 1928, Page 10

SCOTLAND YARD

ECHO OF HYDE PARK CASE REPORT OF COMMISSION (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 13. The tribunal which inquired into the .interrogation by. police officers at. Scotland Yard of Miss Irene Savidge following the dismissal of the Hyde Park case against her and Sir Leo Money has issued two reports, which were published to-day. The majority report is signed by the chairman of the tribunal, Sir John Eldon Bankes, who is a former Lord Justice of Appeal, and Mr. Withers; Conservative member for Cambridge University, while the minority report is signed by Mr. Lees Smith, Labour member for' Keighley. The case created enormous interest following allegations made by Miss Savidge regarding police methods of taking her statement and which the ofiicers concerned strenuously denied. The majority reports accepts the evidence of the police officers and says they treated Miss Savidge with no lack of propriety and did not misconstrue or alter the answers she made to their questions. Their interrogation followed the lines indicated by the Director of Public Prosecutions and was not unduly extended. Miss Savidge's statements ou material matters are not accepted. Although the usual practice was followed by the police and no coercion was used, the majority report expresses the view that the practice should be amended and steps taken to sectfre that when the character or reputation of a witness is the matter chiefly involved in an inquiry and where the consequences of making a statement may be greatly to his or her prejudice, the witness should be informed beforehand of its nature and possible consequences. Only in case of necessity should such a person be taken to the police station to make ,a statement. The minority report regards Miss Savidge as a more credible witness of what happened at thq. Yard, and considers the police inspector and other officers concerned deserving of censure. It also considers necessary the revision of the ’ procedure in the taking of statements by the police. , The reports will be discussed in th« House of Commons next week.