LONDON, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldshield Group UK, the pharmaceutical and healthcare company, said today a judge had refused the application of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to amend its indictment of Goldshield Group Plc and two of its former directors (and others) for the offence of conspiracy to defraud the Department of Health in relation to allegations of anti-competitive conduct between 1996 and 1999. Mr. Justice Pitchford also refused the SFO's application for permission to appeal.

In a video interview Goldshield Chairman Keith Hellawell and CEO Rakesh Patel say the ruling vindicates the company and they can now "get back to business". They explain what the ruling means for the company going forward.

Mr Hallewell said the verdict meant a "veil had been lifted" and he had a stinging rebuke for the Serious Fraud Office.

"The Serious Fraud Office was set up to deal with serious fraud, but I think they've made the mistake of going for high profile cases and high profile individuals or high profile companies in order to cement their reputation."

He said the cost of the case had exceeded GBP40m.

"That's a small hospital, it's a number of doctors' surgeries, it's 750 police officers, that's the real cost, that's the real tragedy in this case."

The interview and transcript are available now on http://www.cantos.com.

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If you would like to contact us, please email enquiries@cantos.com or phone +44-207-936-1333.