SCOTLAND YARD METHODS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1928, Page 13

SCOTLAND YARD METHODS

HYDE PARK CASE INQUIRY POLICE TACTICS ATTACKED CRITICISM IN COMMONS By Talcgraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. Received May 18, 5.5 p.m. I nited Service. London, May 17. In the House of Commons Si> William Joynson-Hicks, in answer to Mr. Johnston's question whether he was aware that two police officers called at the place of business of Miss Savage on Tuesday and, without affording her an opportunity to communicate with her parents or legal advisers, motored her to Scotland Yard, where she was questioned for five hours in connection with rhe inquiry which is being held into the ease in which Sir Leo Chiozza Money was charged with indecency in Hyde Park, said that after investigation of all the material he had referred to the Public Prosecutor the question whether the constable in the case was guilty of giving falsa evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions reported following the normal procedure. The statement taken from Miss Savage was simply in the capacity of a witness. Mr. Johnston: “Are you aware that the girl was refused permission to go home before being questioned, that she was repeatedly warned she must not tell any one she had been to-Scotland Yard or made a statement, and that a woman police officer was removed from the room while third degree methods were used?”

Sir William Joynson-Hicks: The Inspector saw Miss Savage at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. She was taken to Scotland Yard in a motor-car with a woman inspector and given tea. Her mother was telephoned and told that there was no cause for anxiety. The girl was taken home at 8 o’clock. I Cries of "Shame!” “Disgraceful!” ! Sir William Joynson-Hicks: I have been given all the information obtained from the Director of Public Pioseculions. I certainly am unaware that the girl fainted. RESPONSIBILITY OF DIRECTOR. Mr, MacDonald: Do you think that this method of getting evidence, of handling witnesses, is a step for which you are not responsible, whether done by the Director of Prosecutions or anyone else?

Sir William Joynson-Hicks: I recognise that if the police at anyone’s instructions acted wrongly towards the girl lam ultimately responsible. At the same time I do not desire to prejudice the actions taken by an independent officer like the Director of Prosecutions. I promise the fullest investigations in the allegations. Mr. Johnston later moved an adjournment. He said he was anxious to preserve the civil liberties of citizens and would offer determined opposition to Star Chamber or third degree methods. Mr. Johnston related Miss Savage’s experiences in the presence of Inspectors Collins and Clarke at Scotland Yard.

“Though no woman was present,” Miss Savage bad said, “they asked me to stand up, show the length of my dress and give full particulars ot the clothes I was wearing.

“Inspector Collins said: ‘There are several tilings you could really do without sinning; don’t be afraid. Tell us.’ The officer sat down beside me and asked for a demonstration of what happened at Hyde Park. (Cries “Shame!”) The inspector added: 'We were young once; we’ve bad a good time. We are only making the inquiries for the sake of the officers whose conduct is being inquired into.’ ” GIRL ALLEGEDLY EMBRACED. The inspector was said to have put his arms round the girl to demonstrate how Sir Chiozza Money might have been sitting. This occurred without an opportunity for the attendance of a legal adviser 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: Members must nnite in making such a protest that these methods will never again be attempted In Britain. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, replying, said the statements by Inspector Collins, a police sergeant and a woman who was present at part of the interview denied in the strongest terms wbat Mr. Johnston stated and raised a definite challenge. “After Mr. Johnston’s statement I have no doubt regarding the propriety of a complete and exhaustive inquiry. (Cheers.) As a responsible Minister I trust from the bottom of my heart that the inquiry will not result in casting a slur upon 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 interests alike of justice to the community and the morale and discipline of the police. Mr. Johnston, in view of the pledge of the Home Secretary, asked leave to withdraw the motion for an adjournment. The motion was negatived with cut a division.

I The Government has decided to set up two separate inquiries following the debate in the House, one to investigate the circumstances o. Miss Savage’s visit to Scotland Y’ard, and the second to consider the wider general questions of the methods of the police.

The inquiry will consist of three per' sons to be announced to-morrow.