We aim to make this site as accessible as possible and therefore have provided the settings below to use if you are finding it difficult to view this website. See the SFO Accessibility Statement for more information.

Where it is appropriate to provide a Welsh translation, you can switch to Cymraeg. See the Welsh Language Commissioner website for more information.

Use the settings button in the bottom right corner of the page to access these settings again.

Change to normal text size A Change to medium text size A Change to large text size A Adjust Text Size

We would like to use Analytics Cookies on our website. 

Turn these on below if you are happy with us collecting information on how our site is used, in order for us to improve the overall experience of our website. 

All other cookies are necessary and therefore by continuing to browse this website, you are agreeing to the usage of these cookies.

 See the SFO Privacy Policy for more information. 

Analytics Cookies

Serious Fraud Office 2011-12 accounts

1 November, 2012 | Statements

The National Audit Office has today published the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General who has qualified his audit opinion on the 2011-12 accounts of the Serious Fraud Office.

This is in respect of payments in relation to redundancy terms agreed with the former Chief Executive Officer Phillippa Williamson by the previous Director Richard Alderman on 16 April 2012.

The present Director David Green CB QC took up post on 21 April 2012.  Upon learning of the exit terms he asked Treasury Solicitors Office to conduct a full independent inquiry.  He took legal advice as to the enforceability of the agreement and notified the National Audit Office of his decision not to seek retrospective approval from HM Treasury of what he considered unjustified expenditure.  

Notes for editors:

  1. The Serious Fraud Office is a government department responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious and complex fraud and corruption. The SFO is headed by the Director (David Green CB QC) who exercises powers under the superintendence of the Attorney General. These powers are derived from the Criminal Justice Act (1987).