CIVIL LIBERTY

Northern Advocate, 19 May 1928, Page 9

CIVIL LIBERTY

GROSS BREACH ASSERTED

SCOTLAND YARD METHODS,

HYDE PARK CASE,

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 3.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 17.

Mr Tom Johnston (Labour, Dundee) continued in the House of Commons his criticism of Scotland Yard procedure in interrogating. Miss Savage, following on Sir Chiozza Money -winning his case against the police on a charge of indecency in Hyde Park. In moving adjournment of the House to consider this particular incident, Mr Johnston said he was anxious to preserve the civil liberties of citizens and would offer determined opposition to star e'hamber or "third degree" methods.

He related Miss Savage's experiences in the presence of Inspectors Collins and Clarke at Scotland Yard though no woman was present. Miss Savage said: "They asked me to stand up and show them the length of my dress and to give full particulars of the clothes I was wearing. Inspector Collins said there were several things I could really do without sinning trot not to be afraid to tell them. "One officer sat down beside me and asked for a demonstration of what I happened in Hyde Park. (Cries of 'S'hame.') "The inspector added, 'We were young once and we have had our good time. We are only making inquiries for the sake of the officers whose conduct is being inquired into.' "The inspector then put his .arms round me to demonstrate how Sir Chiozza Mnoey might have been sitting." This occurred, said Mr Johnston, without an opportunity for the attendance of a legal advfser and without a woman officer being present. The girl was finally warned that she must not tell anyone she had .been to Scotland Yard.

Mr Johnston concluded by stating that members must unite in making such a protest, that these methods will never <\gain 'be attempted in Britain. The Home Secretary, replying, said the statements by Inspector Collin's and the woman police-sergeant, w ; ho was present at part of the interview, deny in the strongest terms what Mr Johnston has stated here, which raises a definite challenge as to its truth. "After Mr Johnston's •statement," said the Home Secretary, "I have no doubt regarding the propriety of a complete and exhaustive inquiry. (Cheers). As the responsible Minister I trust from the bottom of my heart that the inquiry will not result in casting a slur on the police. Therefore I immediately agree to Mr Johnston's request and suggest that a judge should hold a full inquiry, which I believe is the only right course in the interest alike of justice and the community, and the moral and discipline of the police." Mr Johnston: In view of the pledge of the Home Secretary I ask leave to withdraw the motion of adjournment, which was negatived without division.

The Government decided to set up two separate inquiries following the debate in the House, one to investigate the circumstances of Miss 'Savage's visit to Scotland Yard and the second to consider the wider and more general questions of the methods o£ tne police. The Savage inquiry will consist of three persons, whose names will be announced tomorrow.

INQUIRY TO BE HELD,

WIDE SCOPE COVERED

(Australian Press Association.) (Received' 1.34 p.m.) LONDON, May 18

iSir W. Joynson-Hicks in a statement said lie proposed on May 22 to make inquiries into the specific charges, mentioned in the House of Commons yesterday, regarding the alleged terrorJsation of Miss Savage 'by Scotland Yard officials in connection with the alleged Hyde Park scandal.

When such inquiries were finished he was prepared to assent to a larger investigation into the whole of the police methods regarding witnesses. He had arranged, in connection therewith to meet the Labour leaders for a discussion, before making definite proposals in the House of Commons. This larger investigation will be carried out by u different body from that appointed on May 22. The inquiry will be open to the public.