On 9 February 2022, the Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, commissioned an independent review of the Serious Fraud Office to look at what went wrong in the Unaoil case and what changes were needed to ensure that the failings identified in the judgment do not happen again.

Sir David Calvert-Smith, a former Director of Public Prosecutions and High Court judge led the review.

Commenting on the Review, the Attorney General said:

“I wish to thank Sir David and the team for carrying out the Review. I have considered the findings carefully and discussed these with the Director of the SFO. We both accept the recommendations made by Sir David. I commissioned this Review to ensure that lessons are learned so that the failings we saw in the Unaoil case do not happen again. This remains a priority for the Director and me.

“Building on work already undertaken by the SFO a clear plan of action to respond to the Review recommendations has been developed. I will be closely monitoring the SFO’s progress and delivery of that plan and will provide an update to Parliament in November 2022 and February 2023.

“I am aware that the SFO has received recommendations made by Brian Altman QC, following the Independent Review he conducted for the SFO following the ‘R v Woods and Marshall’ judgment and the SFO will be publishing further details on this.”

Commenting on the Review, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office said:

“Implementing the recommendations put forward by Brian Altman QC and Sir David Calvert Smith is our pressing priority.

“The reviews are a sobering read for anyone who believes in the mission and purpose of the SFO, but from the outset we wanted to establish what happened in these two cases and use the findings to improve our performance.

“The SFO of today is already not the same organisation I inherited. While the expertise and determination of our committed staff remains steadfast, a new senior leadership team has prioritised investment in technology, introduced a stringent case prioritisation system and we have embedded a change programme to overhaul the SFO’s working practices and culture.

“The SFO has a crucially important mission, fighting the most serious and complex financial crime, securing justice for victims and protecting the UK’s economy from criminals who commit fraud, bribery and corruption. I am determined to ensure these reviews help us to move forward with clarity and confidence.”

Notes

1. Junior officials’ names have been redacted from the published review in line with standard government practice. The SFO has waived legal privilege in relation to legal advice referred to in the review only for the purposes of this review.
2. Sir David was named a ‘changemaker within the criminal justice system’ by the National Black Crown Prosecution Association in 2019 for his work to tackle racism.
3. Sir David Calvert-Smith led the investigation for the Commission for Racial Equality into racism within the Police Service of England and Wales which reported in 2005.

A Deputy Governor of the Bank of England has been reappointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

Sir Dave Ramsden has been reappointed as Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking, where he is responsible for oversight of Markets, Banking, Payments, and Resolution directorates. He has been reappointed for a second term of five years, from 4 September 2022 to 3 September 2027.

In this role he is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee, the Financial Policy Committee and the Prudential Regulation Committee. Sir Dave Ramsden is also the Chair of the RTGS/CHAPS Board.

The Chancellor of Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi said:

“I am pleased that Sir Dave Ramsden has been reappointed in this role. His vast knowledge and expertise will continue to be a major asset to the Bank.”

Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, said:

“I am very pleased that Dave Ramsden has agreed to serve a second term as Deputy Governor, Markets and Banking. Dave has ably overseen significant developments in all the functions he is responsible for, notably the work on RTGS renewal, the launch of significant market operations around Covid and the first assessment of banks’ resolvability.

“His commitment to public policymaking is invaluable to our delivery of monetary and financial stability.”

About the appointment

The Bank of England is the central bank of the UK. It is governed by the board of directors known as the Court of Directors. Further information can be found at the Bank of England website.

All members of Court are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

All appointments to the Court are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public. Sir Dave Ramsden has confirmed he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

About Dave Ramsden

Sir Dave Ramsden joined the Bank to become Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking on 4 September 2017. Before joining the Bank, Sir Dave Ramsden was Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service from 2007 – 2017.

A new Chair of the Court of the Bank of England has been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

David Roberts is expected to take up his role at the Bank’s Court in Autumn 2022 and will succeed Sir Bradley Fried who served as Chair from June 2018 to June 2022.

The Bank’s Court acts as the governing body responsible for setting the organisation’s strategy, budget and taking key decisions on resourcing and appointments.

As Chair of the Court, Mr Roberts will be responsible for leadership of the Court and ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its role.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi said:

“I am delighted that David Roberts is taking on this vital and demanding role.

“His knowledge and experience will be invaluable as the Bank’s Court carries out its important work in the months and years ahead.”

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, said:

“I am delighted that David Roberts has been appointed as our new Chair of Court. This role is key to the Bank’s governance and the life of the Bank more broadly and I have no doubt that he will build on the excellent leadership provided by Brad Fried.

“David will bring a welcome fresh perspective to Court and I look forward to working with him.”

David Roberts said:

“I am deeply honoured to be joining the Bank as Chair and look forward to working with Andrew Bailey, my fellow Directors, and the wider Bank team to deliver the organisation’s core mission for the British public.”

About the appointment

The Bank of England is the central bank of the UK. It is governed by the board of directors known as the Court of Directors. Further information can be found at the Bank of England website.

All members of Court are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

All appointments to the Court are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public. David Roberts has confirmed he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

The appointment of Mr Roberts as Chair of Court is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, who provides independent assurance that appointments are made in accordance with the Government’s Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code.

About David Roberts

David Roberts currently serves as Chair of Beazley plc, a speciality insurance business. He will step down from this post to take up the role of Chair of Court at the Bank. He was previously Chair of Nationwide Building Society, Vice Chair of NHS England and Group Deputy Chair of Lloyds Banking Group plc. For 24 years he worked at Barclays, where he held a number of senior roles, including CEO of International Retail & Commercial Banking, and Main Board Executive Director.

Mr. Chair, only two weeks ago in this Council, we reminded Russia of its obligations, under international law, to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and those seeking medical care, including combatants.  We also reminded Russia of the consequences of turning its back on these obligations.  However, once again, we are presented with yet more evidence of Russia’s callous disregard for life in the pursuit of its illegal invasion.

The second Moscow Mechanism report made for sobering reading, detailing Russia’s continued targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel in direct contravention of International Humanitarian Law.  According to the WHO, Russian forces have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian medical facilities, striking hospitals, ambulances, medics, patients, and even newborns.  At least 395 attacks have been reported since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, particularly impacting the most at-risk and marginalised groups in Ukraine such as women, children, minority groups, the disabled and the elderly.  We will not let these actions go unanswered.

Russia’s invasion has injured thousands, mentally as well as physically, and then deprived them of treatment and care when they needed it the most.  It is heartless and unforgivable.  As well as those who have been injured as a direct result of the Russian government’s actions, many more are at risk of ill-health due to reduced access to routine and preventative healthcare, including pharmacy services; sexual and reproductive health care; and vaccination for diseases such as COVID-19 and polio.  In addition, organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and UNICEF have reported on the devastating effects of the invasion on mental health, particularly amongst children who have been injured, witnessed acts of violence and displaced from the familiarity of their homes. The UK is the largest donor to the UN Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, providing life-saving assistance, however we are concerned that this will not reach all those who so desperately need it.

The Moscow Mechanism report highlighted the ‘catastrophic’ conditions in areas under temporary Russian control.  Major cities such as Kherson are likely to face a humanitarian crisis due to a shortage of medicines, yet humanitarian aid organisations are being denied access to deliver urgently needed supplies and medical expertise.  The WHO have warned of a lack of antibiotics for battlefield injuries, patients unable to receive early diagnosis and treatment for cancer; people unable to receive medications for hypertension; and diabetics who cannot access insulin, resulting in worsening illness and preventable deaths.

We have also heard the horrific reports of ‘filtration camps’, disappearances, and illegal detentions in these areas.  We were shocked and appalled to learn of the reported death of British National Paul Urey, whilst in the custody of Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine.  Mr. Urey was a civilian who was detained whilst undertaking humanitarian work in Ukraine.  I reiterate the words of my Foreign Secretary, “the Russian government and its proxies are continuing to commit atrocities. Those responsible will be held to account.”

Russia must bear full responsibility for Mr. Urey’s death.  Just as Russia must bear full responsibility for the countless other deaths of those illegally detained and tortured; of those targeted at medical facilities and hospitals when at their most vulnerable; for the heroic and selfless medical staff who only wanted to help and heal; for four year old Liza Dmitrieva on the way home from her speech therapy session in Vinnytsia.  The list tragically goes on. We will ensure that justice is delivered for Liza, for all those who have suffered and for those who have lost their lives at the hands of President Putin.  As has been said many times, he alone can stop this horror and bloodshed, he simply chooses not to.

Through humanitarian assistance, and our commitments on military aid, economic assistance, sanctions and accountability, we will support and stand by Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s tyranny.  On many fronts, Russia has already lost.  It must end this illegal war now, withdraw its troops from the whole of Ukraine, and take responsibility for its actions.

The Parole Board is in the process of updating its guidance to reflect these changes but in the meantime the information below sets out key changes.

Community Offender Managers, Prison Offender Managers and prison Psychologists will no longer be providing recommendations or views on a prisoner’s suitability for release or transfer to open conditions in the reports they provide to the Parole Board. While HMPPS report writers are unable to provide a recommendation/view, they must still provide a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of the prisoner’s risks and needs, using accredited tools and applying their professional judgement, as well as a statement of outstanding risk factors and identifying protective factors.  For all cases, a risk management plan must be provided that presents an evidence-based assessment of the risk the prisoner presents, setting out how the Probation Service would manage the prisoner, if the panel were minded to direct release.

In some cases, the Secretary of State will present a single view on the prisoner’s suitability for release. These cases will be selected by the Secretary of State, taking account of advice from officials.

The set aside process will give the parties to parole reviews (the Secretary of State and the prisoner) the right to ask for a final parole decision to be looked at again by the Parole Board. This is only applicable for cases where release is being considered and not for recommendations for open conditions. Guidance will be published on setting aside shortly.

The Secretary of State now makes an automatic referral to the Board for consideration of terminating an IPP licence rather than the individual on licence making an application direct to the Board.

Where the individual on licence has been recalled to custody, the panel must consider both whether the IPP licence should be terminated and whether the test for release is met.

For more information on IPP licence termination please see here: Termination of Licence for Individuals serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  

The new Parole Board Rules make it possible for public parole hearings to be held in some cases where circumstances justify it. The prisoner, victim, the media or the wider public may now make an application requesting that a case be heard in public.

Applications have to be made no less than 3 months before a parole board hearing is scheduled to take place.

More information on this process and the application from can be found here: Applying for a Parole review to be public – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)