Aziz Rahman expects the review into the SFO’s workings to be robust and thorough

The Attorney General announcing details of the review she commissioned into the workings of the Serious Fraud Office prompted a number of publications to ask Aziz Rahman for his thoughts.

Former Director of Public Prosecutions and High Court judge Sir David Calvert-Smith has been appointed to lead the review. It will examine the SFO’s failings in the Unaoil case - that led to a bribery conviction being quashed -  and what changes are needed to prevent the problems being repeated; especially those relating to third parties and disclosure.

Aziz told media outlets, including Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, that the review looks set to be a very robust and thorough look at the SFO. He said the appointment of Sir David Calvert-Smith to lead the review was an excellent choice, as he will bring the expertise, experience and independence that is needed.

Aziz added that the review itself will be crucial to the future of the SFO, as it will examine failings that led to one of the agency’s most high-profile convictions being quashed.

The review, he said, has been given a mandate to be both accurate and thorough in identifying the problems and the best way to remove them.

You can read Aziz's comments in the Wall Street Journal and Reuters.