Lord Advocate confirms RBS investigation is ongoing

Lord Advocate has responded to Vince Cable’s letter to the Advocate General on the RBS investigation.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skill, Vince Cable has written a letter to the Advocate General for Scotland, the Right Honourable Lord Wallace of Tankerness QC regarding the public concern about the actions of the directors of the RBS and his keeness for a speedy decision.

In response The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland said:-“I am disappointed to hear that the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has written to the Advocate General in such terms. The Advocate General has no role in the investigation or prosecution of crime in Scotland.

“It would be unfortunate if this were to be construed as attempted interference with independent investigation and prosecutorial decision making by the Law Officers.

“In the wake of widespread public concern about reported issues in the banking sector, I instructed an investigation into allegations involving the Scottish banking sector. That investigation has been led by the The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Serious and Organised Crime Division. The investigation is complex and ongoing and the volume of material being considered is vast.

“Crown Office officials have kept BIS officials appropriately advised of progress throughout the investigation and confirmed on several occasions that in Scotland it is the Lord Advocate who is the sole prosecuting authority and that he acts independently in the public interest.

“Public confidence in Scotland into the investigation of allegations of criminality occurring here is best maintained by thorough independent investigation by the COPFS and not communicated through the media.

“If the Secretary of State contacts me directly I would be happy to brief him on progress to date and timescales”