Blog: arrested under the most sinister law in Britain?

A furious David Cameron said today that police and ministers had “serious questions” to answer after one of his frontbench spokesmen was arrested over Home Office leaks.

Damian Green, the Shadow Immigration Minister, was held in custody for nine hours last night as part of a Scotland Yard investigation into the leaks, prompting widespread anger. David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary, said that the arrest was "reminiscent of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe".

Mr Cameron said that he was especially concerned that at least nine counter-terrorism officers had been deployed to detain Mr Green and search his home in Kent and office at the Commons.

“I think there are some serious questions that have to be answered. If they wanted to talk to Damian Green, why not pick up the telephone and ask to talk to him?" he said.

“The police have to answer questions. Frankly, Government ministers have got questions to answer as well.”

Mr Green, 52, the MP for Ashford, also complained angrily about his arrest in connection with a series of confidential Home Office papers which have found their way into the public domain recently. He was released on unconditional bail shortly before midnight without charge, but must return to face further questioning in February.

Speaking to reporters outside the House of Commons at about 12.45am today, he said: “I was astonished to have spent more than nine hours today under arrest for doing my job. I emphatically deny I have done anything wrong.

“I have many times made public information that the Government wanted to keep secret - information that the public has a right to know. In a democracy, opposition politicians have a duty to hold the Government to account. I was elected to the House of Commons precisely to do that and I certainly intend to continue doing so.”

Downing Street and Labour initially issued strong denials that either Prime Minister Gordon Brown or other ministers had prior knowledge that the arrest was taking place. Ministerial involvement was "none", Home Secretary Jacqui Smith insisted.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) released a statement last night insisting that the decision to arrest Mr Green at his home in Kent and transport him to Belgravia police station in central London for questioning was taken “solely by the MPS without any ministerial knowledge or approval”.

But later the Government appeared to be rowing back from that claim, as Mr Green's opposite number, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas acknowledged he was not certain ministers were unaware of the action.

Times Recommends

• In Margot Fonteyn's footsteps
• Forget beautiful people, let's have wonky Brits
• Fundamentalist brew: faith and power