Letter increases speculation over corporate killing law

The Centre for Corporate Accountability (CCA) corporate watchdog is speculating whether a Home Office letter on corporate killing will mean legislation will follow in the Queen's Speech.

The Home Office has written to private sector bosses and unions asking for their views on introducing a new offence of corporate killing. CCA director David Bergman said: "The big question is whether the proposed reforms will be in the Queen's Speech. It is time that the government acted on this. Too many people have died and too many companies have escaped criminal accountability since the government promised to reform this area of law."

The CCA has concerns about the Home Office letter, which suggests that in the new offence, a company's failures will be measured against "industry standards" even if the industry standards are inadequate. Company managers and directors will not be able to be prosecuted for "significantly contributing" to the new offence.

Also, Crown bodies would continue to have immunity from prosecution even if the new offence was introduced. This issue was highlighted recently when the Health and Safety Executive did not bring a prosecution against the Royal Mint for the death of John Wynne, despite the Mint accepting responsibility.

The government promised a corporate killing law five years ago. Since then, there have been over 1,500 work-related deaths. Only three small companies have ever been convicted of manslaughter.

For further information, including the text of Home Office letter and details of company manslaughter convictions, visit: www.corporateaccountability.org or tel: 020 7490 4494