The National Audit office today blamed the European Commission and the UK government for lax controls on EU spending after Europe’s financial watchdog refused to clear the accounts for the 13th year running.

The British taxpayer could have gained “tens of millions” more from the privatisation of UK defence research firm QinetiQ, the National Audit Office (NAO) said today.

THE agency set up in Britain to confiscate criminals’ cash and luxury assets was condemned as a ‘mess’ yesterday.

The British government faced demands today to call in the police to probe a financial scandal in the North involving public funds and claims of insider trading.

Hospital consultants and managers were slated today following revelations that operating theatres in the North were used on average for just 21 hours a week despite the province having the longest waiting lists in the UK.

Safeguards aimed at preventing a repeat of the BSE crisis in Britain must be urgently improved, MPs said today.

Warnings over future liabilities at the nuclear generator British Energy were not properly heeded by a British government department, according to a report out today.

THE British Government is losing almost €600m a year as organised gangs, including paramilitaries, are raking in millions smuggling petrol and diesel across the border.