The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010

Duties with respect to disciplinary proceedings

71.—(1) This regulation applies where, in the case of any investigation, the appropriate authority—

(a) has given, or is required to give, a notification under regulation 68(12) (action by the appropriate authority in response to an investigation report under regulation 66) of the action it is proposing to take in relation to the matters dealt with in any report of the investigation; or

(b) has submitted, or is required to submit, a memorandum to the IPCC under regulation 67 (action by the IPCC in response to an investigation report under regulation 66) or 74 (appeals to the IPCC with respect to an investigation) setting out the action that it is proposing to take in relation to those matters.

(2) Subject to regulation 52 (restrictions on proceedings pending the conclusion of an investigation) and to any recommendations or directions under this regulation, it shall be the duty of the appropriate authority—

(a) to take the action which has been or is required to be notified or, as the case may be, which is or is required to be set out in the memorandum; and

(b) in a case where that action consists of or includes the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, to secure that those proceedings, once brought, are proceeded with to a proper conclusion.

(3) Where this regulation applies by virtue of paragraph (1)(b), the IPCC may make a recommendation to the appropriate authority in respect of any person whose conduct is in question—

(a) that the person has a case to answer in respect of their conduct or has no case to answer in relation to their conduct to which the investigation related;

(b) that disciplinary proceedings of the form specified in the recommendation are brought against that person in respect of the conduct to which the investigation related; or

(c) that any disciplinary proceedings brought against that person are modified so as to deal with such aspects of that conduct as may be so specified;

and it shall be the duty of the appropriate authority to notify the IPCC whether it accepts the recommendation and (if it does) to set out in the notification the steps that it is proposing to take to give effect to it.

(4) If, after the IPCC has made a recommendation under this regulation, the appropriate authority does not take steps to secure that full effect is given to the recommendation—

(a) the IPCC may direct the appropriate authority to take steps for that purpose; and

(b) it shall be the duty of the appropriate authority to comply with the direction.

(5) A direction under paragraph (4) may, to such extent as the IPCC thinks fit, set out the steps to be taken by the appropriate authority in order to give effect to the recommendation.

(6) Where the IPCC gives the appropriate authority a direction under this regulation, it shall supply the appropriate authority with a statement of its reasons for doing so.

(7) Where disciplinary proceedings have been brought in accordance with a recommendation or direction under this regulation, it shall be the duty of the authority to ensure that they are proceeded with to a proper conclusion.

(8) The IPCC may at any time withdraw a direction given under this regulation; and paragraph (7) shall not impose any obligation in relation to any time after the withdrawal of the direction.

(9) The appropriate authority shall keep the IPCC informed—

(a) in a case in which this regulation applies by virtue of paragraph (1)(b), of whatever action it takes in pursuance of its duty under paragraph (2); and

(b) in every case of a recommendation or direction under this regulation, of whatever action it takes in response to that recommendation or direction.