The Shadow of Great Britain
Chapter 305 - 305 196 Parliamentary Immunity 4K_2

305: Chapter 196: Parliamentary Immunity (4K)_2 305: Chapter 196: Parliamentary Immunity (4K)_2 After Minister Rowan had become as elusive as a dragon seen in head but not in tail, the Criminal Investigation Department finally began to receive a continuous stream of requests for investigation assistance from various police districts.

As for why they received so many cases, it wasn’t because the police districts were lacking in ability, but rather because the era was progressing too quickly.

Nowadays, murder cases were no longer as straightforward as they were during the medieval times; the methods of committing crimes with chemicals were gradually spreading in the unseen dark corners among the majority of citizens.

For street patrol officers with scarce knowledge on the subject, to solve such cases was truly putting them in a difficult position.

Under the early morning sunlight, with a thin layer of moisture on his slick combed hair, Arthur leaned back in his office chair, his hands holding a copy of this morning’s freshly printed “The Times,” munching on biscuits with his tea while continuously extracting useful information from the news.

For him, nothing was more enjoyable than lazing around in the office after just having caught a suspect.

Today’s headlines seemed explosive, but to Arthur, they felt quite mundane.

“Prime Minister Charles Grey, Earl Grey’s proposed parliamentary reform bill is rejected by voting in the House of Commons,”

“The Whig Party swiftly turns to the right after winning the general election victory,”

“Whig Party Representative General Thomas Cochrane: This turning of the helm, is even faster than our Royal Navy’s ships,”

“Lord Russell: There are imposters in the party!

I firmly oppose those who engage in political opportunism within the Whig Party!

The reason we took office was to reform corruption, yet some people see this as an opportunity for promotion,”

“Viscount Palmeston: It is normal to have different voices within a party; we need to consider the voices of all members, but I also steadfastly believe that under the leadership of Earl Grey, we will resolve this issue,”

“Earl Grey calls an emergency party meeting, urges all Whig Party members to strengthen unity, and look towards the reform goals,”

“Tory Party leader Sir Robert Peel and former Prime Minister Duke Wellington decline to comment on the thwarting of the reform bill,”

“Viscount Palmeston: Peel is feeling guilty; the Tory Party is the biggest obstacle to the passage of the reform bill,”

“Sir Peel retorts: ‘What I have seen with my own eyes, Viscount Palmeston walked towards the left door during the reform vote, and as everyone knows, that door represents opposition,'”

“Viscount Palmeston makes a stern statement: ‘Nonsense, I am just old and got lost, that’s all,'”

The Red Devil stood behind Arthur, glancing over the newspaper headlines and chuckling non-stop: “These people are really fascinating, slinging mud, playing tricks, passive-aggressive towards each other; thousands of years have passed, how is it still the same old tricks?”

“What’s there to fuss about?”

Arthur shrugged: “Even if thousands more years pass, I guarantee you’ll still see the same scene.

In this regard, those in the Parliament aren’t much better than Eld.

But also thanks to parliamentary politics, without it, we wouldn’t know how absurd these people are, they’re literally fit to be comedians in a theatre.”

“Oh ho ho…” The Red Devil sneered: “Yet it’s such a bunch of people who, in a few words, can decide the fate of Belgium.

Look at that paper in your hand; Britain’s old in-law Prince Leopold seems to have been formally accepted as the King of Belgium.”

“Let the Belgians be happy if they want to, they have to accept this reality whether they’re happy or not; hopefully, Prince Leopold will treat them well,” Arthur said, then picked up another document from beside him.

Without more than a glance, the Red Devil burst into laughter, eyes narrowing: “Ah, Arthur, you’re really out of luck!

After becoming a dog for the Cabinet, you always bump into these situations.

What do you plan to do this time?

Your friend is planning a rebellion again.”

Gazing at the document, Arthur couldn’t help but press a hand to his forehead, feeling as if he couldn’t catch his breath.

It was a report sent to him by the Oxford area liaison.

Dispensing with the lengthy rhetoric, the core theme was singular—the clergy in Oxford seemed to be gearing up to make some big news.

For Arthur, being an Oxford clergy was certainly not an appealing identity, but he owed a favor to one of the leaders of the Oxford clergy—John Newman.

Arthur pondered for a long time and finally set aside the documents in front of him, relegating them to the less important pile.

The Red Devil raised an eyebrow, “What?

You plan to just let them off the hook that easily?

I didn’t expect it, but you’re quite sentimental, aren’t you.”

Arthur merely glanced at Agares, “Agares, do you genuinely not understand, or are you pretending not to?

This has nothing to do with sentiment and everything to do with the Whig Party’s standpoint, they cannot afford to make enemies of the clergy right now.

I’m not sure what Earl Grey is thinking, but I know that if he doesn’t push for Parliament reform, he won’t last a day in his position.

Supporters of Parliament reform are already a minority, and if I were to arrest the priests who’ve turned to the Whig Party because of the ‘Catholic Emancipation Act,’ do you think it would end well for me?”

Only raising an eyebrow in response, the Red Devil licked his reddening lips and said, “Oh, my dear Arthur, you’re quite perceptive.

In that case, why did you go after Bernie Harrison this morning?”

“Bernie Harrison?” Arthur said, “He’s not a priest, and he’s also a murder suspect with a duly issued arrest warrant.

Do I have a problem arresting him?”

“Heh…” Agares rubbed his hands together with a mischievous smile, “Let’s hope so, Arthur.

I wish you luck.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur immediately felt that something was amiss.

He frowned slightly, and before he could figure out the reason, a series of urgent knocks suddenly sounded from outside the door.

Tom rushed into the office carrying a document, his face slick with sweat as he said, “Arthur, there’s big trouble!”

“What’s wrong?”

“You better take a look at this.”

Tom handed the document to Arthur.

Arthur only needed a quick glance at it for his expression to darken.

The document wasn’t heavy, but the power behind the few brief sentences forced Arthur to weigh the implications carefully.

Tom said in frustration, “I don’t know what the police department is for, why couldn’t they perform a basic background check on a suspect.

The Magistrates’ Court is absurd too, to issue an arrest warrant for an MP without proper review.

Parliament is in session, and the House of Commons is demanding that we immediately release Mr.

Bernie Harrison.

So, what do we do, release him or not?”

Arthur, looking at the document before him, also felt his head was spinning.

According to the law, MPs enjoy immunity from prosecution and arrest while Parliament is in session, and even if an MP is involved in a serious crime like treason, they must be notified and approval obtained before arrest can be made.

However, Arthur had, without the approval of Parliament, arrested an MP and brought him to Scotland Yard, which to Parliament was tantamount to a direct provocation, completely disregarding their authority.

As Arthur contemplated the causes and consequences of the incident, a possibility suddenly emerged in his mind.

“Rowan, you son of a bitch, you dare to pull this kind of stunt on me?”

No sooner had he spoken than another series of knocks came from outside the door.

A timid junior officer poked his head in.

He swallowed nervously, and forced an awkward smile, “Um…

Inspector Hastings…

Chief Rowan wants to see you.”

Tom quickly asked, “Did the Chief say what it’s about?”

“Uh…” Upon hearing this, the junior officer’s smile became more tortured than cheerful, “Tom, don’t make this hard on me.

How could I dare to ask him about such matters?

But I guess…

it’s probably…

about what happened this morning, right?”