Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Serious Fraud Office Director

Thursday 19 October 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Attorney General and the Minister met the new Serious Fraud Office director, Nick Ephgrave, to discuss the SFO's priorities and ongoing improvements.
  • The Solicitor General mentioned a recent criminal investigation by the SFO into a suspected fraud at Safe Hands Plans, affecting 46,000 plan holders.
  • The Solicitor General acknowledged the new director's suitability for the role, citing his experience and commitment to addressing concerns raised by Members of Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the need to assess the implications of the new director's appointment on existing policies.

Question

What assessment has been made of the implications for her policies of the appointment of the new director of the Serious Fraud Office?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The Attorney General and I met the new director, Nick Ephgrave, yesterday and discussed the SFO's priorities, including continuing to deliver its day-to-day mission and driving forward lasting improvements to its operations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a detailed assessment of policy implications but provided general information on meeting with the new director

How: General Statement

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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question stems from constituents contacting the MP about being victims of financial scams orchestrated by large organised criminal gangs, affecting vulnerable community members.

Question

I have been contacted by constituents who have been victims of financial scams carried out by large organised criminal gangs, which often target the more vulnerable in our communities. What steps is the Solicitor General taking to end the scourge of these frauds and scams, and will it be a priority for the new director of the SFO?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I can tell my hon. Friend that the SFO announced a criminal investigation just last week into a suspected fraud at Safe Hands Plans, a funeral plan provider with 46,000 plan holders before its collapse last year. My hon. Friend has raised this very point during an earlier debate, and I am grateful to him for that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Focused on announcing an investigation but did not provide specific steps or confirm a priority status for the new director

How: Mentioning An Existing Case

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question focuses on the new SFO director's approach to high-profile fraud cases, particularly questioning the outcome for Bernie Ecclestone.

Question

Will the new head of the SFO take the job very seriously and look again at some of the big fraudsters and at the penalties? Will the Solicitor General ask the new director why Bernie Ecclestone did not go to prison for massive fraud against the tax system?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The hon. Gentleman gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to the new director. He is the right candidate for the job. He brings a wealth of experience. He will listen to what the hon. Gentleman says and to what we all say in this Chamber.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific cases or review requests but paid tribute to the new director's capabilities

How: Flattery, General Statement

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Q4 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question addresses the perceived decline in SFO's effectiveness with recent case closures and staffing issues.

Question

I join the Solicitor General in welcoming Nick Ephgrave as he takes on one of the most difficult jobs in law enforcement. His arrival in post was announced by the SFO abandoning the three long-running and expensive prosecutions of Rio Tinto, Eurasian Natural Resources, and the Alpha and Green Park group. That follows a chain of failed cases, from G4S and Serco to Unaoil. With permanent staff vacancies of around 25%, and a case load that has fallen by half in recent years, why should the new director think that this lame duck Government will make the SFO a hawk in the world of financial crime?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I will ignore the snide comment at the end but I will address the substance of the hon. Gentleman's question, which he is right to ask. It is also right to say that it is always disappointing when cases are closed, but criminal investigations that no longer meet the public interest test, as he well knows, simply cannot continue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct answer on staffing and support for SFO but discussed case closures

How: Rebuke, General Statement

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