Question to the Attorney General:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how their supervision of the Serious Fraud Office is exercised; and what recent assessment they have made of the performance of the Office.

The Government’s supervision of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is exercised principally through the Attorney General’s superintendence of that department, and in accordance with the Protocol between the Attorney General and the Prosecuting Departments of July 2009.

The Attorney General meets regularly with the Director of the SFO and receives reports on the SFO’s work. In addition HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has power to inspect the SFO under section 149 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which came into force on 2 June 2014.

HMCPSI conducted an inspection of the SFO at the request of the Director SFO in 2012, and reported in November 2012. It has carried out a follow up inspection and is due to report on that later this year.