Extract from Lords repeat of Commons statement on Post Office Court of Appeal Judgment - Apr 28
Thursday, 29 April 2021 07:12
Lord Fox (LD):...I forewarned the Minister that I would bring this
up, because my understanding is that while it has not been granted
investigative powers, the Post Office has regularly undertaken
joint investigations with the police and other investigative bodies
that do have statutory investigating powers. It was granted access
to the national police computer system for intelligence and
prosecution purposes; it had financial investigators appointed by
the National Crime Agency for the...Request free trial
(LD):...I
forewarned the Minister that I would bring this up, because my
understanding is that while it has not been granted investigative
powers, the Post Office has regularly undertaken joint
investigations with the police and other investigative bodies that
do have statutory investigating powers. It was granted access to
the national police computer system for intelligence and
prosecution purposes; it had financial investigators appointed by
the National Crime Agency for the purpose
of undertaking financial investigations for restraint and
confiscation proceedings; and Royal Mail was included in the list
of relevant public authorities, under the Regulation of
Investigatory Powers Act 2000, designated to grant authorisations
for the carrying out of directed surveillance to investigate crime.
The Minister’s views on that would be welcome. Is it really still
appropriate that this organisation should enjoy those powers?
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