UPDATE: Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has just launched a groundbreaking anti-corruption strategy aimed at delivering faster justice in complex fraud cases. Speaking today at Mansion House in the City of London, Lammy emphasized the need for judge-only trials to expedite the legal process for sophisticated corruption crimes.
In a powerful address, Lammy stated that the new strategy is crucial for tackling bribery and corruption within the public sector and financial services. He asserted that judge-only trials would significantly reduce the time taken to resolve these complex cases, which are often buried under “hundreds of thousands of pages of technical evidence.”
“These are crimes deliberately buried in years and accounts, with cases that can extend for months or even years,” Lammy noted, referencing a high-profile case that collapsed after nearly two years and cost the public purse an astonishing £25 million.
Today’s announcement comes amid increasing scrutiny and calls for reforms in the UK’s judicial system, particularly regarding the proposed scrapping of jury trials for offenses carrying sentences of under three years. Lammy insisted that these reforms are necessary to combat the rising tide of corruption, stating, “Judge-only trials in the most complex frauds will get justice moving faster and send a clear message: If you loot, if you launder, if you defraud the British people, you will be caught.”
In addition to the judge-only trials, the strategy includes a significant investment of £15 million for the City of London police’s anti-corruption unit. Lammy also announced plans for greater transparency in political donations and a review of stolen assets in the UK, to be led by anti-corruption champion Baroness Margaret Hodge.
“Tackling corruption in all its guises is vital for Britain to be a trusted and fair jurisdiction able to pursue sustained economic growth,” Hodge stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The National Crime Agency estimates that a staggering £100 billion is laundered through the UK each year. Recent scandals, including controversies surrounding contracts awarded during the Covid pandemic, have intensified the focus on corrupt practices within the UK.
Across the political spectrum, the new strategy has garnered support from a cross-party group of MPs who are calling for “urgency and proper funding for the agencies on the front line.” Phil Brickell, Labour chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, stated, “When crooks can hide behind anonymous shell companies, our security and reputation suffer.”
As Lammy pushes forward with this ambitious plan, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure that the reforms are implemented swiftly and effectively. With the stakes high for the UK’s reputation on the global stage, the eyes of the world will be watching how these developments unfold.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent story develops and the implications of Lammy’s strategy become clear.
