Second supplementary memorandum submitted
by the Crown Prosecution Service
JUSTICE COMMITEE ENQUIRY: CPS
I understand the Solicitor General wrote to
you last week informing you of the decision to bring together
the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and the Crown Prosecution
Service in order to deliver enhanced prosecution services to the
public.
Notwithstanding this development, I am aware
that your Committee has expressed an interest in the way in which
the CPS and the RCPO work together, and I know that Alun Michael
questioned my fellow Director, David Green QC, on this issue [Qs
243 and 244] when David gave evidence before you on 10 February.
I am writing to let you know that since then
David and I have personally discussed one case in order to decide
which of our two Services was the more appropriate to handle the
proceedings. The discussions were entirely appropriate and we
agreed that the CPS should have conduct of the case.
Although not a SOCA case, and therefore technically
outside the Memorandum of Understanding that exists between tile
CPS and the RCPO to determine case allocation, I am sure that
your Committee was enquiring about our relationship in general.
On that basis, I thought I should bring this case to your attention.
I am sure you will understand that it would not be appropriate
for me to go into further specific detail.
More generally, I am delighted to take this
opportunity to support David's evidence to you that there are
very good working relationships between the CPS and the RCPO and
that there is "genuine cooperation and it works" to
cite his words to you.
Keir Starmer QC
Director of Public Prosecutions
14 April 2009
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