Liberal Democrats call for Government to come clean over bugging allegations

3.00.00pm GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

Justice Secretary Jack Straw is facing calls to explain himself after he revealed that he had been told in December that Labour MP Sadiq Khan had been meeting terror suspect Babar Ahmad at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes in December. Officials have conceded that they were aware the meeting might have been bugged although the Justice Secretary insists he was not made aware of this allegation until last Saturday. Mr Straw insisted earlier this week that the eavesdropping operation involving Mr Khan was not sanctioned by ministers.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson David Heath said "Jack Straw must come before the House as soon as possible and explain exactly what has been going on in his department. He must also extend the scope of the inquiry being led by Sir Christopher Rose to include an examination of what information was sent to the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and Number Ten. These latest developments raise serious questions about this whole sorry affair and it is imperative that the Government comes clean about who knew what and when."