HMRC publishes damning report on itself

HM Customs and Revenue has published a damning 'warts and all' report of its enforcement practices.

Judges, prosecution and defence lawyers and Whitehall staff from across law agencies in government were asked to give their views for an independent audit carried out by Fishburn Hedges, a communications consultancy.

According to a report in the Times, the findings show a consensus about the failings within Customs & Excise, which has recently merged with the Inland Revenue, to form the new HM Customs and Revenue Department.

It is critical of arrogant and insular management, a culture of secrecy and untrained staff lacking the legal knowledge to conduct a prosecution or prepare a case "with a view to a successful and procedurally watertight prosecution".

It is the latest in a series of critical reports about Customs but is the first to be commissioned and published by the department itself, in a move to restore its damaged reputation and demonstrate a new more open attitude.

Roy Clark, the new director of criminal investigation at HMCR, said: "The audit is a very brave but necessary thing. It marks a change of response from the historic Customs and Excise approach, to one of openness, accessibility, accountability."

Full article: 'We'll be judged by our failures, not successes' - Times

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The Editor