Ministry of Justice response to Lib Dem enquiry

Date published: 30/03/2008

The Ministry of Justice has responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Rochdale Liberal Democrats relating to Government Minister Jack Straw's recent visit to Rochdale. The Lib Dems were keen to find out if any civil servants had accompanied Mr Straw and how much the cost of police protection was - Greater Manchester Police have yet to respond to the request to them.

The Minisrty letter says: "Thank you for your email dated 29 February 2008 where you requested information about Jack Straw MPs visit to the Rochdale Borough on Friday 29 February 2008 where he visited a Youth Inclusion Project in Kirkholt and Castlenere Community Centre in Milkstone. Specifically you asked for confirmation as to whether there were any civil servants that accompanied Jack Straw MP on his visit to Rochdale Borough and if so, how many?

"I am writing to advise you that there were no civil servants who accompanied Mr Jack Straw on his visit to Rochdale Borough because it was a political visit and not undertaken in his capacity as Lord Chancellor."