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Brodie Clark yesterday issued his written statement to the Home Affairs Committee.

Paul Whiteman, the FDA national official assisting Mr Clark, said:

"This is an important day for Mr Clark. He was not given an opportunity by his employer to set out his position before the Home Secretary declared him to be guilty. He now has that opportunity, as a result of the Home Affairs Committee's invitation to do so.

"Mr Clark's evidence to the Home Affairs Committee confirms he has not acted improperly.

"Departments would be well advised in future to investigate matters properly before deciding on the fate of individual civil servants."

Clive Howard, partner at Russell Jones and Walker, the solicitors engaged by the FDA on Mr Clark's behalf, said:

"This is one of the clearest constructive dismissals.

"The chief executive tells Mr Clark he has to go. Then the Home Secretary announces to the outside world that Mr Clark has to be punished. All before any disciplinary process had even started.

How could Mr Clark come to any view other than that his position was untenable? A reputation built up over 40 years was destroyed in two days."

Mr Clark's full written statement can be read at the following link: Brodie Clark - Opening Statement (final)

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the UK's senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

2. Members in HMRC are represented by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC), a section of the FDA.

3. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".

4. For further information contact:

• Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555.
• Paul Whiteman, FDA National Officer, tel: 020 7401 5555.
• Oliver Rowe, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5555.