Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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2003 (and previous) press releases
Tony Blair Hangs up on Phone Tapping Allegations. Local MP launches investigation into possible breach of guidelines.
Following an exchange at Prime Minister's Questions today, local MP Norman Baker has written to Tony Blair quizzing him over reports that he breached guidelines to allow the phone tapping of two MPs.
Mr Baker slammed the Prime Minister on the floor of the Commons for failing to confirm to MPs whether phone conversations between former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and Mid-Ulster MP Martin McGuinness were tapped.
The Lib Dem MP has written to Tony Blair along with Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay asking the Prime Minister to categorically state whether any MPs' phones have been tapped since 1997.
Tony Blair has told Norman Baker in official answers to Parliamentary Questions that he adheres to the "Wilson doctrine" which promises no phone tapping "whatsoever" of MPs. The doctrine - formulated by then PM Harold Wilson and revealed after questioning by former Lewes MP Sir Tufton Beamish in 1966 - requires the Prime Minister to make a statement to the Commons if this policy changes. No such statement has been made, despite clear evidence emerging that phone calls involving at least two MPs have been tapped.
Speaking about the phone tapping of MPs, Norman Baker says:
"The Prime Minister is treading on dangerous ground and must be made to stick to the Wilson doctrine."
"I have written to Mr Blair, asking him to clarify his position as a matter of extreme urgency. If the Prime Minister did give official authorisation to tap calls between Mo Mowlam and Martin McGuinness or any MP since 1997, he needs to stand up in the Commons and explain himself."