Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has applied to the High Court to re-list injunctive proceedings against BAE Systems concerning confidential CAAT documents that have been leaked to BAE. BAE admitted earlier this year to paying a private investigator to gather information on CAAT, but fresh evidence has revealed that BAE has been involved in further leaks.

The evidence is contained in affidavits and documents only now supplied by BAE to CAAT, but BAE is still withholding the information which would help CAAT identify the source of the leaks. BAE has refused to correspond further with CAAT, leaving CAAT with no option but once again to ask the court to intervene.

CAAT spokesperson Symon Hill said:

"CAAT is an entirely nonviolent organisation which includes thousands of people from all walks of life. In a democracy, it is essential that everyone is allowed peacefully to campaign without undue interference. It is vital to the public interest that BAE is held to account."

ENDS

Notes

1. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade.

2. Following legal action by CAAT, BAE Systems admitted on 18 April 2007 that they had paid £2,500 per month to LigneDeux Associates, whose agent Paul Mercer passed information about CAAT to BAE's Director of Security, Mike McGinty. BAE insisted that they expected Paul Mercer to operate within the law. However, Mercer admitted providing them with a legally privileged and confidential internal CAAT document. This document concerned the impending judicial review of the Serious Fraud Office decision to end an inquiry into BAE's arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

Media Contacts

Symon Hill (CAAT) - 020 7281 0297 or 07990 673 232