Labour MPs join calls for anti-terrorism leaks inquiry

Politicians of all parties are racheting up the pressure for a criminal investigation into the leak of secret information about police anti-terror raids.

Labour MPs joined Conservative and Liberal Democrat demands for a full police inquiry as Downing Street conceded that detectives would have to act if further evidence emerged about the unauthorised briefing.

Peter Clarke, the country's most senior anti-terror police officer, provoked uproar after he denounced "misguided individuals who betray confidences" about raids in Birmingham three months ago.

He opened a row over spin by suggesting that the culprits were trying to "squeeze out some short-term presentational advantage" by giving secret information. The Tories have seized on a report that an aide to John Reid was behind the leak.

The Home Secretary has fiercely denied that anyone in his department was responsible for leaking details of the police raids while they were still under way. Scotland Yard and MI5 have also denied covertly briefing journalists about the operation.

Yesterday, Labour MPs in Birmingham backed an investigation into the affair as David Cameron stepped up his attack on the Government over the issue. The Tory leader said: "This whole area is very worrying. It is very important that our police forces are able to to their job in terms of counter-terrorism and the strategy of leaking and briefing and pre-announcing things is extremely dangerous in this area."

Roger Godsiff, the Labour MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath, where one of the arrests took place, said: "If it is ... found that they had abused their position, there should be criminal charges preferred."

"It is quite outrageous that our security services and our serving policemen out on the streets have their position made that much more difficult by individuals abusing their position."

Lynne Jones, the Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: "If there's any evidence there was a deliberate leak ... efforts should be made to find who was responsible and a stop put to it."

Both Downing Street and Jack Straw, the Leader of the Commons, supported police action if further "prima facie evidence" emerged about the leak.

Mr Straw told MPs: "They potentially involve an interference with a criminal investigation.

"I think if anybody has prima facie evidence in respect of the leak - and I don't just mean newspaper reports - then it's a matter for a police inquiry."

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "If people have evidence, they should go to the police."

Paul Stephenson, the Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner, promised that the force would investigate the leak if information came to light.

Speaking at the Metropolitan Police Authority monthly meeting, he said: "If we have information that comes to us that we consider we can follow up, we will do it."

He said: "I have to say, all leaks in an operational environment are just simply disappointing, whatever they are.

"Peter Clarke did raise these concerns. He was right to do so and I share his concerns."