Serious Fraud Office 2021-02-04
2021-02-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the SFO's effectiveness and resources. The question follows a previous discussion on similar issues.
What steps she is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office?
I regularly meet the director of the Serious Fraud Office and her senior leadership team to discuss the SFO's progress in tackling serious fraud, bribery and corruption. The SFO has a high judicial outcomes rate of 95% by case and 62% by defendant from 2016-17 to 2019-20. This financial year, the SFO agreed two deferred prosecution agreements contributing over £44 million to Her Majesty's Treasury.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's concern about underfunding and under-resourcing was not directly addressed
I Appreciate The Hon. Gentleman'S Point That There Are Always More Resources That Could Be Utilised
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the SFO's ability to take on complex cases due to perceived underfunding and understaffing. He references recent inquiries into British American Tobacco.
May I remind the Minister that many people believe the Serious Fraud Office is seriously underfunded and under-resourced? It has just abandoned its inquiry into British American Tobacco. When is he going to start again, look at the SFO, and give it the resources it needs to go after these real problems?
The reality is that the SFO has proper funding. The Attorney General and I meet the leaders of the Serious Fraud Office on a regular basis, and they know this Government supports them in their work. They have obtained guilty pleas for bribery offences in the Petrofac case and secured convictions and agreements with Airbus and Airline Services.
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Assessment & feedback
The need to identify “directing mind” in corporate cases was not addressed
Although I Appreciate The Hon. Gentleman'S Point That There Are Always More Resources That Could Be Utilised
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP and his committee wish the Attorney General well as she starts maternity leave. The question addresses the legal challenges faced by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in tackling serious corporate crime.
May I start by asking the Solicitor General to convey to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General the good wishes of myself and the members of the Select Committee on Justice? Does she recognise that it is not just a matter of resources, but also legal framework? Will swift action be taken once the Law Commission reports at the end of the year?
I will convey his remarks. As far as the SFO's ability to prosecute matters is concerned, these issues are kept under constant review. The law must keep up with issues at hand to enable effective prosecution by the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific need for swift action was not committed to
These Issues Are Kept Under Constant Review
Response accuracy