Exclusive: MP demands civil servant’s recall over scandal-hit school

The latest development relates to an answer a senior civil servant gave to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) while he was being grilled over why the DfE’s findings that invoices had been fabricated by the Kings Science Academy, in Bradford, were not subject to a criminal investigation until after the matter was leaked.

The chief executive of the Education Funding Agency, Peter Lauener, said that after reporting the matter the DfE had gone back to fraud authorities to ask whether they needed more information about the case.

However, documents obtained by the Yorkshire Post show that when the DfE asked for an update on the case it did not ask if more information was needed but was in fact told police did not have enough information to go on.

The DfE was also told by fraud authorities on September 5 that the matter had only been dealt with as an information report and would not be subject to a criminal investigation unless it was reported as a crime.

Bradford MP David Ward said Mr Lauener should be called back to the committee to explain the discrepancy between the two accounts: “Mr Lauener’s answer to PAC does not tally with his department’s own documents which suggest the DfE did not ask if more information was needed – but were told more information would be needed before police could investigate. That is a crucial difference.”

The DfE did not respond to the a request for a comment yesterday. The department reported the school to Action Fraud – a national fraud reporting centre – on April 25 with a telephone call after its own investigation report found the school had fabricated invoices. According to documents provided to the Yorkshire Post there was then an exchange of emails on September 5 between the DfE and Action Fraud. The DfE email says the matter was reported in April but not followed up by police and adds “it would be helpful if we could be told whether the case is likely to be taken forward in order that we can finalise issues with the academy”.

Action Fraud respond, saying police do not have enough information to progress it but that if more information was available it could be reassessed.

The alleged fraud came to light on October 25 when the DfE published its investigation report.

At the time the department said it had informed police who “decided no further action was necessary”. But a week later it emerged the case had not been investigated by police because Action Fraud wrongly recorded it as an information report.

Newly-published emails: The complete text

From: NFA Action Fraud

Sent: 05 September 2013 16:32

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email to Action Fraud concerning your Information Report. An Information Report can be made where there may not have been a fraud committed, but there is suspicion of criminal intent.

Information Reports, like Crime Reports, are taken by Action Fraud and sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which is run by the City of London Police, the lead force for fraud. The NFIB collates and analyses intelligence on fraud from various sources. The results are used to prepare intelligence packages for onward dissemination to Police Forces.

Information Reports can sometimes lead to an investigation, however this strongly relies on Crime Reports being associated with the information you have supplied.

Your report has been sent by Action Fraud to the NFIB for assessment. After assessment by the NFIB, it has unfortunately been determined that there is not enough intelligence information at this time to progress your case further. Your report will be kept within the intelligence system at the NFIB where it will be regularly matched and assessed against other reports to help boost wider crime investigations, building a more complete national picture of fraud.

If more information related to your report becomes available your report will be re-assessed to determine its viability for investigation. If your report meets the requirements for investigation it will be sent to the relevant police force or law enforcement agency for investigation. The recipient force will determine when and how this may occur and will be in contact with you to discuss that.

Action Fraud and the NFIB appreciate that this is frustrating and we do recommend that if you do have any further information you can make a new report and you can do so via our web reporting tool: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call our contact centre on 0300 123 2040.

Kind Regards,

Public Enquiries, ActionFraud

From:

Sent: 05 September 2013 10:36

To: NFA Action Fraud

Subject: RE: Kings Science Academy Bradford - W Yorkshire police. Ref NFRC130400222669 25.4.13

The above case was reported in April to Action Fraud and to date there has been no follow up action by W.Yorks police. It would be helpful if we could be told whether the case is likely to be taken forward in order that we can finalise issues with the Academy.