The National Crime Agency was established
to lead the fight against serious and organised crime. It has
the power to task other law enforcement partners and a
capability, with local to international reach, to disrupt the
impact of serious and organised crime on the UK.
This is the fourth HMIC inspection of the NCA. It examined
the efficiency and effectiveness of the national tasking and
co-ordination process and the related arrangements of the
strategic governance groups.
This report has been published today and I will place a copy
of the report in the Library of the House. I have asked HMIC
to publish this report on my behalf and it is available
online at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.
The report finds that the NCA has efficient and effective
practices in place to support its role in the tasking,
co-ordination and governance of serious and organised crime.
Current arrangements are generally working well, although
there are areas in which the NCA, alongside police and other
law enforcement agencies need to improve as set out in the 11
recommendations they made.
It is for the director general to respond to these
recommendations, in line with the requirements of the Crime
and Courts Act 2013.
REPORT
Extract from
questions to the Electoral Commission Committee
If the ultimate findings of the Electoral Commission
investigation into law-breaking by the leave campaign are
as serious as the version that was leaked disgracefully
by the leave campaign, will my hon. Friend make it
absolutely clear to the Electoral Commission that this
House and the public will expect full criminal
investigations by the police and the National Crime Agency into this
alleged wrongdoing, so that the public can have
confidence in the integrity of our referendum and
electoral system?
The Commission has repeatedly called for an increase
to the maximum penalty that it can impose on
political parties and other campaigners for a breach
of the rules. On the investigation that my right hon.
Friend refers to, the Vote Leave organisation took an
unusual step in sharing its views on the Electoral
Commission’s initial findings. The Commission will
give due consideration to any further representations
made and will, at the earliest opportunity, publish a
thorough and detailed closing report to provide a
full and balanced account both to the public and to
Parliament.
