HMRC employee pleads guilty to wrongful disclosure charge

An employee of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has pleaded guilty to a charge of wrongful disclosure of information.

Sarah Gillett, aged 33, pleaded guilty to a charge of wrongful disclosure of information under section 19 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 at Preston Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday 20 August).

The charge followed an investigation managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) following a complaint from a member of the public that Ms Gillett had accessed and disclosed confidential information. Ms Gillett worked at the Preston Tax Office.

Ms Gillett is due to be sentenced on 15 September at Preston Magistrates Court.

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Notes for editors:

The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales. The IPCC’s jurisdiction was extended in 2008 to cover UK Border Agency staff exercising police-like powers.

The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.

The 15 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by more than 100 independent IPCC investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 264 independent and 663 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.

The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

For Further Information Contact:

Rachael Collins, IPCC Press & PR Manager on 020 7166 3142 or the out-of-hours duty press officer on 07717 851157.