Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2024 18:03:02 GMT
.. Former Anti-Fraud Chief Warns
Whoever takes up the official role, which is currently being recruited by the Government, will have just one day apiece to investigate the 135 deals flagged as being ‘high risk’ for corruption by Transparency International. The comments from Sir David Green CBE KC were made at an All Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption meeting this Monday.
The respected former fraud-buster is concerned by the fact the new commissioner will have a staff of fewer than 10 – and perhaps as low as three or four – and with a contract only lasting for a year. He said that while the role had been expected to be a senior civil service post with major clout, it is instead being advertised as a more junior position.
David Green KC told the MPs and anti-corruption campaigners present: “The talk on the street, before the advert came out, was that this would be at [Senior Civil Service] 3 level, which is one below permanent secretary, giving such a person real authority within the civil service and dealing with other agencies. It was to be around £180,000 a year with a staff of around 30.”
“We now find out…that this individual is required to work three days a week, and would be paid £84,000 a year on a one-year contract with what’s called a ‘small staff.’ In my experience, ‘small’ is civil-service speak for about four people. Good luck with that.”
He added that there are 135 potentially corrupt Covid contracts to be looked at, as identified by Transparency International UK in a new report.
“Such an individual will have to rely, in their three days a week, on the cooperation of various agencies: the SFO, HMRC, the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the commercial arms of Government, the Treasury, and HMRC. How much clout will such a person have in galvanising those agencies?,” Sir David asked.
He added that if organised crime was involved in some of the contracts, “the money’s not going to be here; it’s going to be in Dubai or elsewhere offshore.”
The role appears to be focused on large-scale PPE contracts rather than applications for Covid loan schemes. There is likely to be more evidence of organised crime involvement in the latter.
“Speaking for myself, I’m rather depressed about this luckless individual and their possibilities,” the former Serious Fraud Office chief said.
The respected former fraud-buster is concerned by the fact the new commissioner will have a staff of fewer than 10 – and perhaps as low as three or four – and with a contract only lasting for a year. He said that while the role had been expected to be a senior civil service post with major clout, it is instead being advertised as a more junior position.
David Green KC told the MPs and anti-corruption campaigners present: “The talk on the street, before the advert came out, was that this would be at [Senior Civil Service] 3 level, which is one below permanent secretary, giving such a person real authority within the civil service and dealing with other agencies. It was to be around £180,000 a year with a staff of around 30.”
“We now find out…that this individual is required to work three days a week, and would be paid £84,000 a year on a one-year contract with what’s called a ‘small staff.’ In my experience, ‘small’ is civil-service speak for about four people. Good luck with that.”
He added that there are 135 potentially corrupt Covid contracts to be looked at, as identified by Transparency International UK in a new report.
“Such an individual will have to rely, in their three days a week, on the cooperation of various agencies: the SFO, HMRC, the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the commercial arms of Government, the Treasury, and HMRC. How much clout will such a person have in galvanising those agencies?,” Sir David asked.
He added that if organised crime was involved in some of the contracts, “the money’s not going to be here; it’s going to be in Dubai or elsewhere offshore.”
The role appears to be focused on large-scale PPE contracts rather than applications for Covid loan schemes. There is likely to be more evidence of organised crime involvement in the latter.
“Speaking for myself, I’m rather depressed about this luckless individual and their possibilities,” the former Serious Fraud Office chief said.
