Judicial Independence

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High Court rules dropping of BAE-Saudi probe 'unlawful'
Dropping of BAE-Saudi Arabia probe ‘was unlawful’

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted unlawfully when it abandoned its investigation into alleged Saudi Arabian slush fund payments at BAE Systems, the high court has ruled. The SFO halted its corruption probe in December 2006 after pressure from the government, citing national security concerns. Tony Blair’s administration said Saudi Arabia was threatening to withdraw… Read more »

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MoJ says sentencing matter for judges
Judge ‘simply wrong’ to flout minimum sentences for gun crime

Legislation calling for tougher sentences for individuals convicted of gun crimes is being ignored by judges, a senior police officer has said. Bernard Hogan-Howe, chief constable of Merseyside police, said it was “simply wrong” for mandatory five-year sentences for possession of a firearm to be overlooked. Despite government attempts to toughen up sentencing, in 2005… Read more »