Bribery Act 2010: Post-legislative Scrutiny (Select Committee Report)

Lord Bradshaw Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd February 2021 Grand Committee

[Lord Bradshaw (LD) [V]]

My Lords, I was not a member of the committee, so I have had to rely on reading the documentation provided. On reflection, the revision down the line that the noble Baroness, Lady Fookes, called for is probably necessary, because a lot of issues have been placed before the Grand Committee today. The reputation of the country for honesty and straight dealing is not improving; anybody who thinks so is probably deluding themselves. It is important, however, that our reputation is restored; we should not be complacent when we are told in debate that we are slipping down the world’s league tables.

The issue of what is to succeed the European arrest warrant is very important. There are criminals waiting to come here in the knowledge that they will probably be beyond the reach of the law. The problems in the court system to which the noble and learned Lord, Lord Woolf, referred are a scourge on the country. The fact that a criminal trial cannot now be arranged in less than about two years is a real indictment, because justice delayed is justice denied.

However, I want to speak particularly about the police service, of which I have experience. To train police officers to deal with issues such as fraud—you can choose anything you like; child abuse is another one—is a long-term commitment. Such officers are very attractive to other people who would seek to employ them. It is important that we take seriously the recommendation that the police service—particularly the City of London Police service but all other police services as well—have people trained to look out for all sorts of corruption.

There are large problems about money laundering, and the issue of vicarious liability needs attention. I understand the mens rea issues, and I certainly agree with my noble friend Lord Stunell that if the ship goes down, it is really quite regrettable if nobody above the rank of, as it were, able seaman gets prosecuted. People look to people being prosecuted where they have done wrong.

I would also like to encourage the use of DPAs to encourage people to own up if they find that wrong has been done, not necessarily by the directors of a company but by somebody within it. Finally, when the Minister sums up, will he tell us how much time John Penrose is devoting to his role as anti-corruption champion? It seems to be an almost invisible role.