A parliamentary researcher was suspected of committing an offence in relation to a protest at Parliament, it was revealed today.
In February 2008 Plane Stupid campaigners climbed on the roof of the Houses of Parliament to protest at "collusion between government and the aviation industry".
The police officer in charge of parliamentary security, Chief Superintendent Ed Bateman of the Metropolitan police (MPS), was giving evidence to the Commons committee investigating police searches on the parliamentary estate.
He told the committee that his role is to "provide interface between the MPS and parliament" and work with the Serjeant at Arms, Black Rod and the parliamentary security co-ordination, a member of the security services.
Bateman said that he arranges meetings between investigating officers and House authorities and had done so over the Plane Stupid incident.
He revealed that the office of MP "was searched for evidence of an offence by researcher" in relation to that case.
Bateman has been in post since November 2007.
The committee is investigating searches on the parliamentary estate after Damian Green, shadow immigration minister, was detained by the Metropolitan Police on November 23.
His Commons office was searched as part of an investigation into a leak from the Home Office.
Police did not obtain a warrant for the search, which angered many MPs. Green was not charged with any offences.
A report into the investigation carried out by former British Transport Police chief Ian Johnston concluded that the leaked documents contained material that was "hostile and embarrassing" to the government, but did not amount to a threat to national security.
