|
Judges, prosecution and defence lawyers and Whitehall staff from across law agencies in government were asked to give their views for an independent audit carried out by Fishburn Hedges, a communications consultancy.
According to a report in the Times, the findings show a consensus about the failings within Customs & Excise, which has recently merged with the Inland Revenue, to form the new HM Customs and Revenue Department.
It is critical of arrogant and insular management, a culture of secrecy and untrained staff lacking the legal knowledge to conduct a prosecution or prepare a case “with a view to a successful and procedurally watertight prosecution”.
It is the latest in a series of critical reports about Customs but is the first to be commissioned and published by the department itself, in a move to restore its damaged reputation and demonstrate a new more open attitude.
Roy Clark, the new director of criminal investigation at HMCR, said: “The audit is a very brave but necessary thing. It marks a change of response from the historic Customs and Excise approach, to one of openness, accessibility, accountability.”
Full article: 'We'll be judged by our failures, not successes' - Times
--
If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is simple and easy to do online - see 'Join Shout99'.
--
The Editor
|
