SFO boss' £400k 'golden goodbye' deemed irregular

Pension and severance payments totalling £412,000 handed to the former chief executive of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have been ruled "irregular" by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The NAO qualified the department's audit after the voluntary redundancy payments were disclosed. Former SFO boss Phillippa Williamson left in April, however, there is no evidence that due process was followed in her voluntary redundancy process, including investigating if there was a suitable position for her in the civil service. Some £407,000 was paid into her civil service pension to cover all additional costs arising from the early departure. However, approval from the Cabinet Office was not sought. Williamson was also handed £15,000 but required Treasury permission was also no...