Mandy cops' tip-off blunder

Met Police, Commons Speaker tells MPs

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor & PATRICK HILL

COMMONS Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle yesterday revealed he was the one who tipped off Scotland Yard about fears Peter Mandelson was a flight risk.

Sir Lindsay told MPs: “Members will be aware of comments in the media regarding the arrest of Lord Mandelson.

“To prevent any inaccurate speculation I'd like to confirm that, upon receipt of information, that I felt it was relevant I pass this on to the Metropolitan Police in good faith, as is my duty and responsibility.”

In a farcical development, it then emerged the Met had shared a document with Mandel-son's lawyers showing the “Speaker” was the source of the tip — but police had indicated the Speaker of the Lords, not the Commons.

Even if the information had been correct, the Met said it should not have released it. A force spokesman said: “The Met has apologised to the Speaker of the House of Commons this afternoon for inadvertently revealing information during an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.”