For the record

This site was set up to detail the judicial review of the decision to end the SFO investigation into BAE-Saudi arms deals.

Now the judicial review has finished, the site will be left online for the record. It is frozen as of February 2009.

For further information about corruption, visit The Corner House, or about BAE and the UK Government's arms dealing, visit CAAT.

19 January 2007

Campaigners receive Government's defence of Serious Fraud Office decision

The Corner House and Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have today received the Government’s response to letters sent to the Serious Fraud Office, Attorney-General and Prime Minister on 18th December 2006. The Government contests their assertions that the SFO’s decision to drop the BAE-Saudi Arabia investigation was unlawful.

The Corner House and CAAT are now considering the detail of the Government's response with their lawyers. A further announcement as to the legal proceedings will be made next week.

Contact:

Campaign Against Arms Trade: Symon Hill - 020 7281 0297 or 07920 037 719

The Corner House: Nick Hildyard - 01258 817 518 or 07773 750 534

Leigh Day & Co: Jamie Beagent – 020 7650 1248 or 07811 203 793

Notes to editors:

1. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade. The Corner House is a not-for-profit social and environmental justice group.

2. On 14th December 2006 the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Attorney General announced that the SFO was suspending its investigation into dealings between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia. The Corner House and CAAT instructed solicitors Leigh Day & Co, who wrote to the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister setting out their reasons for considering this decision to be illegal.

ENDS