Commentary on Sections Schedule 9: Port and border controls Section 149: Inspection of the Serious Fraud Office
443.Subsection (1) amends section 2 of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Act 2000 so that the Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service has the same powers of inspection for the SFO as he or she has for the CPS. This will include inspection of the SFO’s investigative work. The Chief Inspector will also have the same duty to report to the Attorney General on matters connected with the operation of the SFO as he or she has for the CPS.
444.Subsection (2) amends section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 so that information that has been disclosed to the SFO by HM Revenue and Customs can be disclosed to HMCPSI for the purposes of an inspection. It also ensures SFO can disclose information to HMCPSI which would otherwise be covered by an obligation of secrecy imposed by or under any enactment, other than the Taxes Management Act 1970.