MP Bob challenges Home Secretary over Police pay
December 11, 2007 12:00 AM
Bob Russell MP on beat with Police
Colchester MP Bob Russell today directly challenged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith over her decision not to implement the pay award which had been recommended by the Police Arbitration Tribunal.
The town's Liberal Democrat MP, who is a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, told the Home Secretary that the Government should honour what the Tribunal had put forward and accused her of damaging Police morale.
The Home Secretary was before the Select Committee in support of her wish to see an extension of the time terrorist suspects can be detained without charge, from 28 days to 42 days, but Mr Russell used the opportunity to criticise the Government for not paying the Police award in full and that it should be back-dated to 1st September.
In response to Mr Russell's further questioning, the Home Secretary said that the Prime Minister was in agreement that the pay settlement should be phased and not back-dated.
Mr Russell has also expressed his anger at the Government's decision by co-sponsoring two House of Commons motions in support of paying in full the recommendations of the Police Arbitration, and has signed a third Motion put forward by the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Mr Keith Vaz MP who also criticised the Home Secretary at today's meeting.
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