At the moment being a director of BAE Systems must feel a bit like being a fox on Boxing Day (at least as Boxing Day was a few years ago). The furore over the cancellation of a Serious Fraud Office inquiry into possible bribes paid in connection with a multi-billion pound deal with the Saudis for Eurofighters. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is continuing to pressure the government over the allegations and the potential political interference in the investigation.
Now there is news that the SFO is investigating payments from BAE to a South African government office related to a £1.5 billion deal for aircraft. It is alleged that the official, one Joe Modise, may have take a £500,000 bribe from the British firm in connection with the deal.
Let us face it. The arms business is dirty and corrupt to the core whether the companies involved are British, French, American, Russian or Chinese. It is littered with, at best, shady characters and, at worst, with the professional criminal class. The governments of arm dealing nations will do anything to look the other way in order to encourage trade in this disgraceful commodity which, for reasons that I cannot fathom, they seem to believe enhances their national prestige.
Now there is news that the SFO is investigating payments from BAE to a South African government office related to a £1.5 billion deal for aircraft. It is alleged that the official, one Joe Modise, may have take a £500,000 bribe from the British firm in connection with the deal.
Let us face it. The arms business is dirty and corrupt to the core whether the companies involved are British, French, American, Russian or Chinese. It is littered with, at best, shady characters and, at worst, with the professional criminal class. The governments of arm dealing nations will do anything to look the other way in order to encourage trade in this disgraceful commodity which, for reasons that I cannot fathom, they seem to believe enhances their national prestige.
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