Prosecutors say they are not yet close to deciding whether to bring any charges against Kent MP Damian Green because they have not had crucial information from the police.

Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the investigation was at a "very sensitive stage" but any decision would not be rushed.

Mr Green, the MP for Ashford, was arrested in November and quizzed for nine hours in connection with a series of Home Office leaks but has firmly denied any wrongdoing.

Although Mr Starmer said a decision on charges would be made as soon as was reasonably practical, a CPS spokeswoman confirmed that would depend on when police provided it with the relevant information.

In a media briefing, Mr Starmer said: "We have some material, I anticipate more. We are now at a very, very sensitive stage. But it is not a decision that can be hurried."

The CPS said no decision was imminent but everything was being done to move things forward.

There has been widespread anger over the arrests after police raided not just Mr Green’s homes in Kent and London but his House of Commons office.

The MP was bailed following his arrest and is due to report to the Metropolitan Police next month.

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