What authority does the Secretary of State have regarding BEIS investigations?

The Secretary of State possesses the authority to direct the inspector and terminate the investigation. This reflects a broader regulatory oversight role, ensuring that investigations are aligned with governmental objectives and frameworks. The capacity to direct the inspector ensures that the investigative process meets various legal and procedural standards set forth by BEIS (the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy). This authority allows for a level of control and oversight that ensures investigations are carried out effectively and appropriately, while also maintaining the integrity of the process.

While there may be other avenues for enforcement and penalties, such as the imposition of financial penalties or the need for interviews, those functions do not encompass the overarching control provided to the Secretary of State over the investigative process itself.