Apr102017

Statement on the latest developments in Venezuela

EU
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Ongoing escalation of tensions and violent confrontations during last days are only increasing divisions in Venezuela. But violence and use of  force will not resolve the current crisis.

Heavily sanctioning the opposition – most recently an opposition politician Henrique Capriles Radonski who was banned from political life for 15 years – does not help to lower the unrest and the tensions in the country.

The Venezuelan people has the right to peaceful demonstrate and to see the political conflict  immediately solved. 

The European Union calls on all parties to find common ground and end the violence.

Apr102017

Reporting irregularities that may affect medicines

EU
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10/04/2017

EMA Board adopts new policy on handling information on alleged improprieties from external sources

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Management Board has adopted a new policy on how EMA handles allegations of improprieties received from external parties. These improprieties may include allegations of departures from standards of good practices that could have an impact on the evaluation and supervision of medicines.

The goal is to create an environment where individuals from outside the Agency feel confident to raise their concerns on improprieties in their area of work. The policy helps EMA assess these reports and co-ordinate any further investigation in a structured way, while protecting the confidentiality of the reporter.

Since 2013, EMA has received a total of 43 reports that relate, for example, to the manufacturing of medicines or the conduct of clinical trials. Although no formal policy has existed until now, all reports were dealt with in line with the principles included in the new policy.

A dedicated email inbox, reporting@ema.europa.eu, has been created. Individuals external to EMA can raise their concerns by sending a message or providing information to this address. They can also send a letter to the Agency. Their identity will be kept confidential.

If the allegations concern a centrally authorised medicine, EMA will coordinate the investigation. If there are any concerns that the improprieties may affect the balance of benefits and risks of the medicine, EMA’s scientific committees may consider regulatory action.

If the allegations concern a nationally authorised medicine, EMA may, on a case-by-case basis, refer the matter to the national medicines agency in the EU Member State where the concerned medicine is authorised.

If there is a suspicion that fraud is involved, EMA will transmit the report to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in accordance with the existing arrangements between the two institutions.

The policy was adopted by the Management Board at its March meeting and came into effect on 17 March 2017. It was prepared in consultation with the European Commission and OLAF.

Apr102017

News story: Countryside Stewardship claims are just a click away

DEFRA
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This online service should be used to submit Countryside Stewardship annual revenue claims and any capital claims.

The online system is simple and convenient to use. Customers can save and return to the claim whenever they like. The online system guides customers through the steps and provides instant confirmation that submitted claims have been received. Customers will receive a letter inviting them to submit a claim.

The online validation means less worry about errors. It prevents overstating of field sizes and blocks claims on ineligible land parcels. Claiming online will feel familiar for the 80% of customers who claimed BPS online in 2016, as this all sits within the same online service.

Whilst applicants are encouraged to use the online service, some customers may still require paper claim forms and these can be requested from Natural England. Anyone who has further questions can call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301 for support from a Natural England adviser.

Apr102017

Press release: Disqualification extended for director who breached ban

HM Government
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Mr Brown, 68, of Cirencester in Gloucestershire provided a disqualification undertaking for 6 years from 3 March 2011, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills regarding a previous company, Richard Brown Homes Limited (RBH). RBH, which built new homes for residential purposes, entered liquidation on 10 June 2009.

Despite knowledge of the restrictions he was subject to, Mr. Brown continued to act as a director of Door Stores (Swindon) Limited (Door Stores), a retailer of doors and related fixtures, without leave of the Court, in breach of the restrictions.

An investigation by the Insolvency Service also found that Door Stores traded to the detriment of HMRC, who were owed £198,942 at liquidation.

Mr Brown has now given a director disqualification undertaking to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for 11 years, which prevents him from managing or controlling a company without leave of the court until 2027.

Mr Brown’s co directors Richard Edward Brown (33) and Alan Roche (52) the de jure directors, have each given disqualification undertakings for 3 years and 6 months for causing Door Stores to trade to the detriment of HMRC.

Commenting on the disqualification, Sue Macleod, Chief Investigator at The Insolvency Service, said:

This result should make it very clear to disqualified directors who ignore their disqualification undertakings and continue to act as directors that they will be vigorously pursued by the Insolvency Service.

The length of the undertaking in this case, sends a clear message to the business community that such actions will not be tolerated.

The Insolvency Service will also take action against directors who cause or allow a company to trade to the detriment of HMRC.

Notes to editors

Door Stores (Swindon) Limited (CRO No. 05887116) was incorporated on 26 July 2006. The company traded from its registered office, Unit 5, Headlands Trading Estate, Headlands Grove, Swindon, SN2 7JG.

Richard David Brown was a formally appointed director between 26 July 2006 and 1 December 2008. He is of Cirencester and his date of birth is December 1948.

Richard Edward Brown was appointed as a director on 1 December 2008. He is of Swindon and his date of birth is October 1983.

Alan Roche was appointed as a director on 27 June 2014. He is of Swindon and his date of birth is September 1964.

The company went into liquidation on 7 August 2015. On 12 December 2016 the Secretary of State accepted an undertaking from Mr Brown, effective from 2 January 2017, for a period of 11 years. On 7 March 2017 the Secretary of State accepted an undertaking from Richard Edward Brown, effective from 28 March 2017 for a period of 3 years and 6 months. On 2 December 2016 the Secretary of State accepted an undertaking from Alan Roche, effective from 23 December 2016, for a period of 3 years and 6 months.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

  • act as a director of a company
  • take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
  • be a receiver of a company’s property

In addition that person cannot act as an insolvency practitioner and there are many other restrictions are placed on disqualified directors by other regulations. Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings. Further information on director disqualifications and restrictions is available.

The Insolvency Service administers the insolvency regime, investigating all compulsory liquidations and individual insolvencies (bankruptcies) through the Official Receiver to establish why they became insolvent. It may also use powers under the Companies Act 1985 to conduct confidential fact-finding investigations into the activities of live limited companies in the UK. In addition, the agency authorises and regulates the insolvency profession, deals with disqualification of directors in corporate failures, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 7674 6910 or 020 7596 6187

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on: * Twitter * [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/company/3226944?trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Acompany%2Cidx%3A2-2-5%2CtarId%3A1437038215788%2Ctas%3Ainsolvency%20service ) * [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcLiLoFYKt6sLLafxk1AplQ