Serious Fraud Office closes probes into Rolls-Royce and GlaxoSmithKline
There will be no prosecution in the cases.
The Serious Fraud Office has closed its investigations into Rolls-Royce and GlaxoSmithKline.
Its probe into bribery and corruption at Rolls saw the engine maker enter into a deferred prosecution agreement in 2017, when the firm agreed to pay a near £500 million sanction.
The fraud squad said on Friday that following further investigation, a detailed review of the available evidence and an assessment of the public interest, there will be “no prosecution of individuals associated with the company”.
In Glaxo’s case, the Serious Fraud Office’s 2014 investigation focused on commercial practices by the company, its subsidiaries and associated persons.
It again decided that on the evidence and an assessment of the public interest, there will be no prosecution in the case.
Lisa Osofsky, director of the Serious Fraud Office, said: “After an extensive and careful examination I have concluded that there is either insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction or it is not in the public interest to bring a prosecution in these cases.
“In the Rolls-Royce case, the SFO investigation led to the company taking responsibility for corrupt conduct spanning three decades, seven jurisdictions and three businesses, for which it paid a fine of £497.25m.
“I am thankful for the work of colleagues and the assistance of domestic and international partners.”
