§ 27. Mr. HuttonTo ask the Attorney-General how many cases are currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Serious Fraud Office has 57 active cases, of which 27 are at the investigation stage.
§ Mr. HuttonGiven the great interest in one of those cases—that against Mr. Asil Nadir—will the right hon. and learned Gentleman reconsider his decision not to reveal the identity of hon. Members who have made representations to him about that case? Does he further agree that the transparently politically motivated lobbying on behalf of Mr. Nadir has compromised the integrity and independence of the Serious Fraud Office?
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, I would not agree with the hon. Gentleman either in his premise or on the alleged facts which formed the latter part of his question.
In my view, it is an important part of our criminal justice system that it should be possible for people, whether in the House or elsewhere, to make representations to the Law Officers, in private if they think it appropriate, so that matters can be carefully and dispassionately examined. I have no reason to believe that any impropriety has been committed in relation to the case of Mr. Nadir; nor can I think of any impropriety in relation to other cases. They are all carefully and properly reviewed.