Andrew Dismore

In attempting to justify his failure to return from his trip to Belize for the recall of
Parliament during the Summer’s riots, Hendon Conservative MP Matthew Offord
made much of the purpose of the trip, in particular to learn about the drugs trade
which he was going to raise with the police here.

In fact, the response to a freedom of information request to the police by Andrew
Dismore, Labour’s London Assembly candidate for Barnet and Camden reveals that
the MP has had no obvious contact with the police on the issue in the two months
since, nor did he seek a briefing before he went. (Freedom of Information response
attached).

Mr Dismore said:

“Yet again the Conservative MP has let down Hendon’s constituents. Having failed
to return for the recall of Parliament, he has since not honoured the pledge he made
on his return to brief the police on what he found out about the drugs trade and
how it affected Hendon. This clearly casts doubt as to the sincerity of his excuses
and as to whether he gained any knowledge whatsoever of use to the police or his
constituents, while enjoying himself in the Caribbean while London burned.”

For further details call Andrew Dismore 07957 625 813

Response to freedom of information request:

Dear Mr Dismore

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2011090001739

I write in connection with your request for information which was received by the Metropolitan Police
Service (MPS) on 12/09/2011. I note you seek access to the following information:

• Please disclose all correspondence between the Metropolitan police and Matthew
Offord MP concerning drugs policy and enforcement recorded on the MetRIC System
(the MPS system for logging and managing correspondence) from May 2011 to date.

• Please disclose all notes or other records of meetings between Barnet CID, Barnet
Senior Management Team or the MPS Drugs Directorate Senior Management Team and
Matthew Offord MP concerning drugs policy and enforcement between May 2011 to
date.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within the MPS to locate information
relevant to your request.

EXTENT OF SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted with Barnet Borough
Operational Policing, the MPS Drugs Directorate and on the MetRIC system.

RESULT OF SEARCHES

The searches failed to locate any information relevant to your request, therefore, the
information you have requested is not held by the MPS.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact David Edwards
on telephone number 0207 161 3583 quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

David Edwards
FOIA Quality and Assurance Advisor