Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the document entitled Draft terms of reference for the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, what updates her Department has provided on relevant developments in its area of work to that group since 2019.
Answered by Robert Courts
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities over a range of issues. More broadly, I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 1 March 2024, Official Report, PQ 16019 on tackling anti-Muslim hatred.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that communication between the Crown Prosecution Service and the police is as swift as possible.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The effective communication and progression of cases between investigators and prosecutors is vital to secure swift and effective outcomes for victims and witnesses. Improvement in this area is a priority for the police and CPS at both a national and local level.
In March 2021, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and College of Policing published a joint National Case Progression Commitment, which provided an in-depth analysis of the barriers to effective case progression; and sets out their commitment to taking action to drive improvement.
This work is overseen at a national level by a Joint Operational Improvement Board (JOIB), which is co-chaired by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the NPCC’s lead for criminal justice, Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave. The Attorney General and I regularly meet with the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss progress.
At a local level, the recent introduction of Joint Operational Improvement Meetings has fundamentally changed how issues are identified and addressed. These meetings create a forum to better improve direct communication between the CPS and the police and enhance early collaboration to resolve issues. They also provide an opportunity for CPS Areas and police forces to improve casework performance, through strong working relationships and practises.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps his Department is taking with the legal profession to raise awareness of ADHD in the decision-making process on prosecutions.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Law Officers superintend the Crown Prosecution Service which has recently held a public consultation on its legal guidance on prosecuting offenders with mental health conditions and disorders, to ensure the decision-making process is as well-informed as possible.
As part of that consultation, which closed on 4 June, the CPS will consider how best to reflect the responses received concerning ADHD in its legal guidance.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what the status is of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into British American Tobacco that was opened in 2017.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Progress is being made on the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into allegations of corruption in the conduct of business by British American Tobacco Plc, its subsidiaries and associated persons. It would not be appropriate to comment on the status of a live criminal investigation further at this stage.
When it is appropriate to do so, the SFO will publish updates on the status of the investigation on their website. The most recent information can be found at:
https://www.sfo.gov.uk/cases/british-american-tobacco/