§ Mr. Boris JohnsonTo ask the Solicitor-General (1) when the Crown Prosecution Service received the file from the Metropolitan police investigating Superintendent Ali Dizaei; [21608]
(2) what action she has taken to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service has maintained its independence from the police and acted fairly and with impartiality when considering the case against Superintendent Ali Dizaei; [21610]
752W(3) when Crown Prosecutors advised the officers investigating Superintendent Ali Dizaei; [21609]
(4) what the reasons were for the delay by the Crown Prosecution Service in deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Superintendent Ali Dizaei. [21607]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralA full file of evidence was submitted on 12 October 2001 and additional information is still being submitted.
Since 31 May 2000, the police have been submitting information and requests for advice to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS has been advising the police on an ongoing basis. This advice has covered matters of admissibility and the sufficiency of evidence upon a number of discrete criminal allegations.
The Crown Prosecution Service has not delayed and has dealt with this case expeditiously. This police investigation has encompassed a number of separate criminal allegations and has resulted in the submission of a large volume of evidence. In the light of the complexity and sensitivity of the issues raised advice has been obtained from Senior Treasury Counsel. The review of the large volume of evidence and proper consideration of all the issues involved has necessarily required adequate time to complete.
The Crown Prosecution Service works very closely with the police but makes decisions about cases through careful, independent and impartial consideration of all the evidence and application of the Code for Crown Prosecutors, which states that a prosecution will only be brought if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and a prosecution is required in the public interest. The decision to start a prosecution is taken independently of the police and in this particular case will have the benefit of advice of independent Counsel.