‘I should never have been charged’ – former Tesco director

A former director of Tesco has said he should never have been charged after being acquitted of fraud at the supermarket chain.

Carl Rogberg also questioned why Tesco had agreed two years ago to a fine for overstating its profits in 2014.

On Wednesday he was acquitted of the charges, which related to those events in 2014.

He is the last of three former directors who had been charged to be acquitted.

Last month, a judge dismissed cases against Chris Bush and John Scouler.

A trial judge has now entered a “not guilty” verdict against Mr Rogberg, after the Serious Fraud Office brought no evidence against him.

The investigation was sparked by an announcement by Tesco in September 2014 that its profits were overstated by £250m.

Mr Rogberg said: “It’s a huge relief that this day has finally come. While I always had faith that it would, the journey here has not been an easy one. The trial has had enormous consequences on my health and exemplary career, as well as for my wife, my son, my family and my friends.”

He had not been well enough to stand trail with his former colleagues, before the judge dismissed their case last month.

A first trial had been abandoned in February last year, shortly before the jury was due to retire to consider its verdict.

After Wednesday’s decision Mr Rogberg said he had “serious questions” for the SFO and Tesco about the way the case had been handled.

“In short, there was never any evidence of my wrong-doing and I should never have been charged,” he said.