UK call to investigate possible leaks of market data

The head of a British parliamentary committee has asked a regulator to look into media reports, including one by Reuters, about movements in financial markets ahead of economic data releases that raised the possibility of leaks.

Andrew Tyrie, chair of the Treasury Committee, urged the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority to look into the reports which suggested data could have been leaked ahead of time to give some investors an edge in financial markets.

“The Financial Conduct Authority will want to consider this matter, if it is not already doing so, given one of its objectives is to protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system,” he said in a letter to FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey dated March 15.