Written question asked by Lord Williams of Elvel (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 28 October 2010.

Sport: Conspiracy

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the law relating to conspiracy is adequate to deal with collusion between sportsmen and women and betting agents.

Answer: There are a range of criminal offences that may be relevant depending on the circumstances of the case, including offences under the Gambling Act 2005 or the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906. In addition, the law on bribery was recently modernised by the Bribery Act 2010. The Act, which is due to be commenced in April 2011, introduces specific offences of offering, promising or giving a financial or other advantage to a person to induce them to perform a relevant function or activity improperly; and requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a financial or other advantage in return for performing such a function or activity improperly. The law of conspiracy would be available to deal with collusion in respect of all these offences as it is an offence to conspire to commit any substantive criminal offence.

Secondary information