Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Dominic Grieve

Tuesday 20th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney-General]

Yes, I share my hon. Friend’s concern. The judiciary makes it clear to jurors that they must respect the sanctity of the jury room and avoid research on the internet. That message has been reinforced by a number of contempt proceedings that I have brought, including in the cases of Mrs Fraill, who revealed details of the jury’s deliberations, and Dr Dallas, who conducted research on the internet. Both received terms of imprisonment. I can also confirm that yesterday, the president of the Queen’s bench division issued a protocol on jury irregularities, which provides guidance to the judiciary and practitioners on how best to address contempt committed by jurors.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with the Director of Public Prosecutions on the Crown Prosecution Service’s handling of cases referred to it in 2009 involving alleged sexual assaults by Jimmy Savile.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Dominic Grieve

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney-General]

May I say to the hon. Gentleman that I can only do my job? I have a job, laid down by statute, to review cases where it is thought that the sentence may be unduly lenient, and if I think it is, I will refer it. The success rate that we have been enjoying seems to indicate that, broadly speaking, on most of the references we make the Court agrees with us. It is worth pointing out that there are sentencing guidelines, which lay down very clearly how a judge should go about sentencing. In some cases, although the public may be unhappy about a sentence, it may conform to those guidelines. If the lawyers who advise me and I consider that that is so, the case may not be suitable for a reference.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

4. How many successful prosecutions for fraud were brought by the Serious Fraud Office in 2011.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Dominic Grieve

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney-General]

I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman. The best thing I can do is write to him. I am perfectly aware that the CPS liaises extensively with the CPS in Northern Ireland and the Lord Advocate’s Department in Scotland, and I will provide him with that information.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

2. If he will take steps to increase the public profile of the work of the Crown Prosecution Service on allegations of rape made by young women.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Dominic Grieve

Tuesday 15th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney-General]

I am afraid that I cannot comment on the reaction from international counterparts. There is interest in the matter—indeed, I have been made aware of that by a number of sources, particularly in respect of people connected with the United States. Outside that, however, I cannot comment formally, and I think it is likely that any formal response would go to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with the director of the Serious Fraud Office on its procedures for investigating cases of bribery and corruption.

[Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South) (Lab)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with the Director of the Serious Fraud Office on its procedures for investigating cases of bribery and corruption.

[The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve)]

I hold monthly meetings with the director of the Serious Fraud Office to discuss all aspects of the SFO’s work, including what it is doing to counter bribery and corruption. The Bribery Act 2010 came into force on 1 July 2011, and the SFO was well prepared for that. The SFO website provides detailed information, including joint prosecution guidance from the director of the SFO and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

[Yvonne Fovargue]

No one has faced prosecution as a result of the global financial collapse. Does the Attorney-General think that that is because there was no wrongdoing, because the SFO is not doing its job, or because we need a change in the law?

[The Attorney-General]

I have no evidence that there is any need for a change in the law. As and when matters are brought to the attention of the police or the SFO that require investigation and that may be linked to the global collapse, they will be investigated and inquired into. She will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on individual cases in the House for obvious reasons.