Michael Howard claims that papers released under the Freedom of Information Act have cleared him of allegations that, while home secretary, he over-ruled former prison service chief Derek Lewis to order the suspension of a prison governor after a jail escape.

Home Office papers released at the request of the Tory leader have gone some way towards clarifying the issue that led Jeremy Paxman to ask the former home secretary the same question 12 times.

The minutes show former permanent secretary Sir Richard Wilson saying to Howard: "I advised you against any attempt to give an instruction or to intervene on the question of suspension. You accepted this advice."

The Conservative leader said the papers show he did not act improperly.