By Max Colchester
LONDON--The head of the U.K. tax collection office said
Wednesday that the body has clearance to share a cache of leaked
documents on HSBC Holdings PLC's (HSBC) Swiss account holders with
other U.K. law-enforcement authorities.
Lin Homer, the chief executive of HM Revenue & Customs, said
it had reached a deal in the past few days with French authorities
to pass on the data "to pursue wider offenses."
In 2010, HMRC received data stolen from HSBC's Swiss subsidiary
from French authorities. It has since recouped 135 million pounds
($208 million) in taxes and fines, but it has been criticized by
lawmakers, as only one person has been prosecuted.
HMRC executives said a deal struck with French authorities back
when it received the data stopped it from handing the information
to other U.K. law-enforcement agencies. The new deal with the
French will allow U.K. authorities to investigate wider offenses,
such as money laundering.
Ms. Homer said a meeting is planned for next week with several
other U.K. agencies to see how best to share the data.
Write to Max Colchester at Max.Colchester@wsj.com
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