Green affair, another example of 'press release politics' by Cameron

As picked up by Luke Akehurst, see the Sky clip of the Shadow Cabinet laughing along at the Home Secretary's reply to their questions on the Damien Green affairs, exposing their mock indignation.

As posted below, on the issue of public interest, the Conservative line now seems to be that the issues were not of sufficient seriousness to merit a police response, it was purely a disciplinary matter for the civil servant.

While I agree that Green could have been questioned by police, and the raid was disproportionate - there is still a case to answer, and Green should admit this.

But let's take the issue of sufficient seriousness a bit further. If the Conservative argument is that the disclosures should not a have been investigated because they were not about national security, but part of the political discouse - then presumably it would be satisfactory for civil servants to do this were there a Conservative administration not in the 'public interest' by deploying the democracy/'fair comment ' defence Galley uses.

Would Cameron be happy with political entryism into his high offices of state and a steady stream of information to Labour MPs on any matter indiviuals deemed politically expedient for the opposition party? I doubt it, and so does the civil service - which should be an impartial body.

The issue was discussed on Newsnight last night - Livingstone was outstanding on the conflict of interest of Boris Johnson in this matter, and left Michael Howard MP flat-footed.

The more you think about it, the more ridiculous the Conservative leader's judgement becomes. Lord Harris, on his blog, raises an important series of questions for the Conservatives here.

Press release politics from Camera-on if ever there was an example.