Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and The Corner House have welcomed the decision by the US Department of Justice to investigate BAE Systems' compliance with anti-corruption laws. The two organisations are currently seeking permission from the UK courts for a Judicial Review of the Government's December 2006 decision to stop the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into BAE's Al Yamamah deal with Saudi Arabia.

Ann Feltham of CAAT said:

It is good news that the Department of Justice is to look into the allegations of bribery by BAE, especially with regards to Saudi Arabia. CAAT hopes that the company and the UK government will co-operate fully with the investigators and provide all the documents necessary for them to do their work. The decision to stop the SFO's Al Yamamah inquiry and the failure to robustly enforce anti-corruption rules is harming the UK's international reputation.

Nick Hildyard of The Corner House said:

"We welcome the decision by the US Justice Department to pick up the ball that the SFO so shamefully dropped. Unlike the UK, the US has a strong record on corruption prosecutions and we are confident that it will not be cowed by BAE or Saudi princes."

ENDS

Notes

1. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade. The Corner House is an environmental and social justice NGO.

2. On 14 December 2006, the Serious Fraud Office and the Government announced that they were suspending an investigation into alleged corruption by BAE in its arms deals with Saudi Arabia. CAAT and the Corner House, an anti-corruption NGO, have lodged grounds for a judicial review of this decision.

3. Spokespeople for CAAT and The Corner House are available for interview.

Media Contacts

CAAT - Symon Hill
020 7281 0297 or 07990 673 232

Corner House - Nicholas Hildyard
07773 750 534