Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Counter-Terrorism Bill
9:00 am
Tony McNulty (Minister of State (Security, Counter-terrorism, Crime and Policing), Home Office; Harrow East, Labour)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Bercow. Let us be clear; the evidence was not deliberately misleading. That was made clear by the witnesses. Unfortunately for them and for our deliberations, it was made clear by phone and e-mail, almost instantly after their appearance, but to the scrutiny unit, rather than otherwise. It was made clear to them that that was not appropriate and they were told clearly how they should respond. I share the Committee’s view that this is at best a less than satisfactory way of responding, and I will take the matter up with them and demand something more substantial by way of a further memorandum. There is no question that it was deliberately misleading—it was not and they made that clear.