Commons Speaker Michael Martin is under pressure to explain why police were allowed to raid the parliamentary office of Tory frontbencher Damian Green.

Amid speculation that Conservative MPs could walk out of parliament in protest, Mr Martin's office announced that he would make a statement on Wednesday.

Commons leader Harriet Harman told Mr Martin there needed to be an urgent review of procedures to ensure the protection of "big constitutional principles".

"We have got to be sure that whilst MPs are not above the law, that actually they are able to get on with their job without unwarranted interference by the law," she said.

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"These are very, very big constitutional principles, we have to make sure they are protected."

Mr Green was held for nine hours over alleged leaks of Home Office documents and was reportedly accused by officers of "grooming" a Whitehall mole.

It followed the earlier arrest and suspension of a junior official, 26-year-old Chris Galley, who is reported to have unsuccessfully sought a job with the Conservative Party.

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