The UK must up its game in the fight against corruption after the disastrous BAE/Saudi corruption investigation, says Stephen Baker
The decision by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to drop its investigation into BAE's relationship with Saudi Arabia re Al Yamamah had a significant adverse impact upon the international standing of the UK. Serious questions were asked within the international community as to whether there was a genuine commitment on behalf of the UK to combat corruption. The SFO appeared to have caved in at the first real sign of pressure from the Saudi authorities; indeed caved in to threats made by the man at the centre of the investigation. No attempt was made to reason with the Saudis so far as can be determined. No effort appears to have been made to explain that making such threats was not the British way of doing things. A white flag was simply raised.
Lord Justice Moses's decision in Corner House Research & Campaign Against Arms Trade, R (on the application of) v Director
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