SCOTLAND YARD METHODS

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 9

SCOTLAND YARD METHODS

THE COMMISSION'S REPORTS OPPOSING VIEWS. (British Official Wireless.) ITress Association—By Telegraph—Copyrigm RUGBY, July 14, 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 Chiozza 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 was former Lord Justice of Appeal, and Mr J. J. Withers (Conservative member for Cambridge University), while the minority report is signed by Professor Smith (Labour member for Keighley). The case created enormous interest, following the allegations made by Miss Savidge regarding the police methods of taking her statement, which the officers concerned strenuously denied. The majority report accepts the evidence of the police officers, and says that 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 tho Hues indicated by the Director ol Public Prosecutions, and was not unduly extended. Miss Savidgc’s statements on material matters arc not accepted.

Although tho usual practice was followed by the police, and no coercion was used, tho majority report expresses tho view that the practice should bo amended and stops taken to secure that when tho character or reputation of a witness is a matter vitally involved in an inquiry and where the consequences of making a statement may bo greatly to his or her prejudice, a witness should bo informed beforehand of its nature and possible consequences. Only in a caso ol necessity should such a, person be taken to a police station to make a statement.

The minority report regards Miss Savidge as tho more credible witness of what happened at Scotland Yard, and considers that the police inspector and other officers concerned are deserving of censure. It also considers necessary a revision of the procedure in tl taking of statements by tho police. Tho reports will be discussed in tho House of Commons next week.