§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Solicitor General what criteria she uses to decide whether to proceed with a prosecution of a police officer for bribery in cases involving release of information to the press. [93034]
§ The Solicitor-General[holding answer 27 January]cases involving allegations against police officers are reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors as are all cases. It is important for the maintenance of public and police confidence that the same standard is applied to all accused, whoever they may be. The Code recognises that a public interest factor in favour of a prosecution includes where the defendant
was in a position of authority or trust(paragraph 6.4.d). Prosecutors will therefore have regard to the fact that police officers occupy positions of authority and trust in society.Under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889 both the offer or the acceptance of a bribe amounts to an offence. Corruption strikes at the heart of public 738W confidence in administrative and judicial affairs. In all such cases where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction, a prosecution will normally take place unless the public interest factors against proceeding with a case clearly outweigh those in favour.