PA
Former Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the allegations against Mr. Green showed "no criminality"
A former Scotland Yard chief was aware of the pornography had been found on Damian Green's computer during a 2008-9 police probe, he has told the BBC.
Sir Paul Stephenson, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner between 2009-11, said he was briefed about the claims but regarded them as a "side issue".
The allegations were first made public last week by former Met Assistant Commissioner, Bob Quick.
were a "political smear" .
Mr Green, who is Prime Minister Theresa May's second-in-command, said the police (19459012)
But Mr Quick, who led the investigation into Home Office leaks which saw Mr. Green's Commons office being searched, says pornography was found on a computer there.
Both Sir Paul and Mr. Quick's evidence to a Cabinet Office inquiry into Mr. Green's conduct last week, led by senior Cabinet Office official Sue Gray.
The inquiry, which is being behind closed doors, is also looking at a separate claim that Mr. Green, made appropriate advances against a female Conservative activist in 2015. He also denies that allegation.
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Reuters
Damian Green denies police found pornography on a computer in his office
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Paul said he thought the claim about Mr. Green "was not relevant to the criminal inquiry" into Mr. Green's arrest.
"I regret it's in the public domain," he said.
"There is no criminality involved, there are no victims. extraordinary public interest. "
Sir Paul added that it was not Scotland Yard's role to" police the workplace. "
The Met declined to say if it was helping the Cabinet Office investigate the claims, but said in a statement: "As this is not our inquiry the MPS does not believe it is appropriate to comment upon it."
