PCG Slams New Investigatory Powers Granted To DTI

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

05 November 2004

The Professional Contractors' Group (PCG) has this week condemned new powers afforded to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) by the UK government's Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprises) Act.

Under the new legislation, set to come into force within the next few weeks, DTI officials will be given increased investigatory powers, allowing them to enter and search the business premises of small company directors.

The PCG, which was established to protect the interests of contractors, argued that in cases where freelancers work from home, this could involve DTI investigations taking place there. It also took issue with the fact that no warrant will be required for the searches.

"It is extremely worrying that such powers could be authorised not by a court or a judge but by a civil servant or political appointee - and this isn't just about the business and freelance community; there's a fundamental issue of civil liberties that affects all of us," the PCG observed.

The DTI, meanwhile, has dismissed the Group's concerns as alarmist, arguing that such visits will only be made when a complaint has been made and the documents requested by the DTI in connection with the investigation have not been forthcoming.

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