Dear friend,
After two years of inaction from the previous Attorney General, the Government's new chief legal advisor has the chance to act on corruption charges linked to an arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Have you had chance to take action yet, to demand a prosecution goes ahead?
In 2010 a British company called "GPT Special Project Management", a subsidiary of Airbus, agreed a £2 billion deal to supply communications equipment to the Saudi Arabian military. A whistle-blower at GPT uncovered evidence that the company used tens of millions of pounds of illicit payments and gifts to secure the deal.
In 2018 the UK's Serious Fraud Office requested a prosecution, yet nearly two years on, it is still waiting for approval from the Attorney General to move forward with the case.
A new Attorney General was appointed this month. Will you call on her to give consent for a prosecution?
In 2006, Tony Blair blocked a corruption investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into BAE’s corrupt multi-billion pound arms deals with Saudi Arabia out of the interests of 'national security' (read: trading interests). Your action will make it harder for them to sweep this one under the carpet.
Ask the Attorney General to prioritise the rule of law and the UK's international obligations over arms company interests.
Thank you.
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Caroline
Campaign Against Arms Trade