The Hammond report in brief

Summary of conclusions from the Hammond Inquiry report

guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 March 2001 15.01 GMT

· The applications for naturalisation of Mr GP Hinduja and Mr SP Hinduja were handled properly and within established criteria. Certain aspects of the latter case should have been pursued more vigorously

· No improper pressure was brought to bear by any Minister in respect of these applications

· The enquiries made on behalf of Mr Prakash Hinduja were handled properly by all concerned

· Mr Keith Vaz made representations on behalf of both Mr SP and Mr GP Hinduja, but these were in the context of many other immigration and nationality cases in which he made representations. There is no evidence of any improper relationship between him and the brothers

· Mr Mandelson or his officials made or passed on enquiries to the Home Office on behalf of Mr SP Hinduja and Mr Prakash Hinduja. It is not possible to reach firm conclusions about the exact circumstances in which the contacts took place in relation to Mr SP Hinduja, but it is likely that Mr Mandelson spoke directly to Mr O'Brien

· Mr Mandelson's belief that he had not had a telephone conversation with Mr O'Brien was honestly held. Mr Mandelson did not make representations on behalf of either Mr SP or Mr Prakash Hinduja

· There is no evidence of any improper relationship between him and the Hindujas or of any connection between his contacts between them over the sponsorship of the Dome and their efforts to obtain naturalisation

· There was intelligence material about the Hinduja brothers, but this was not drawn to the attention of the Home Office and it, probably, would not have affected the outcome of the naturalisation applications if it had been

· In some respects, the processing of the naturalisation applications by the Home Office could have been improved, but systems are now in place which address these issues

· Record keeping in the private offices involved in the matters under Review was, in some respects, unsatisfactory and there is a need to address this issue and that of the monitoring of telephone calls.

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Special report: Mandelson
New Labour in power