London City Bond Prosecutions (Hansard, 10 November 2003)

§ The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith)

Mr Justice Butterfield was asked last year by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and by me to conduct a review arising out of the London City bond cases. I refer to my Answer to Lord Peston on 25 November 2002, which sets out Mr Justice Butterfield's terms of reference. We received his report in July 2003 and it was published in full on 15 July 2003. I refer to my Answer to Lord Barnett on 15 July 2003. The published report can be found on the Treasury website,www.hm_treasury.gov.uk. He made a number of important recommendations, many of which have already been implemented. The others are being considered by the Government.

Consideration of matters relating to Operation Boyne was included in the remit of Mr Justice Butterfield's review. At his request any analysis or comment on this matter by him was suspended to avoid prejudice to proceedings in this matter. As a 158WA result of developments on 6 November 2003, on behalf of the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Healey MP, and myself, I invited Mr Justice Butterfield to consider further the issues that arise from the case in the context of his earlier inquiry and he has agreed. His terms of reference will be: In the light of the recommendations made in your review, published in July 2003, to consider the circumstances which led to the termination of Operation Boyne at Blackfriars Crown Court, and to advise whether additional or different recommendations need to be made.