§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Solicitor-General how many allegations of bribery of a foreign public official have been passed to the Serious Fraud Office since 14 February 2002; and how many of these allegations have resulted in an investigation; and whether any charges or arrests have been made under Part 12 since that date. [132361]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralPart 12 of the Act came into force in February 2002. The Act is not retrospective and to prosecute under the provisions of Part 12, all elements of the overseas offence must have taken place after February 2002. The very nature of such offences is that they can take some time to surface, and as such a period where no prosecutions are instituted is to be expected.
389WThere have been no specific referrals made to the SFO where bribery of a foreign public official is the sole or principle allegation, or where it has been appropriate to invoke powers under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. As such no investigations have been commenced where the focus has been on Part 12 offences.